There was always something magical and about watching a Bonfire being lit.
Seeing the first glow as the flames caught hold, and then with a bit of help from of a breath of wind, plus some sort of fuel (paraffin was best) the Bonfire was suddenly off. Everyone who was nearby suddenly had to withdraw. First because of the sparks and then the heat. Three or four hours later the dedicated firewatchers had to stand shivering watching the embers die until it was ‘safe to leave’. In between, sparks and burning leaves would have floated over the crowd … bits dropping into eyes… as the kids saying I’m cold and bored! When are the fireworks going to be? I want to go home… and soon after the Fireworks … saying ‘the fireworks were good – weren’t they?’ … as all the cold families rushed off home. Ah ..we reminisce the good old days…
This year … now that the insurance companies have put paid to all but the best organised Bonfire events, where they seem to be miles away across a big open field… out of business. The nearest link we, as a voluntary organisation can get to Bonfire Night, are the Fireworks… except for …. …the Best Guy Fawkes completion of the past has been transformed into the best carved Pumpkin … and we had some wonderful example … and no sign of blood from cut fingers or hands …which is really good news. There must be some really skilful carvers!
The tradition raffle has now been superseded by a name the Skelton competition and this year’s winner was called ‘Spare Ribs’.
However, there was nothing in the past like the Best Halloween Costume competition, we had this year. Wow, did we have some stunning costumes – and the beauty of not having a Bonfire is there is no danger of stray sparks setting fire to kids or adults costumes. As for the most, scariest Halloween face … well, the free face painter and her glitter artist colleague, worked amazingly hard meeting demand from parents and kids alike to produce some very scary faces. Here the comparison with the past must be very pc as everyone knows that in the shadowy light cast from a bonfire of the past some people looked very scary indeed! Was it natural or just the glow from the fire?
Feedback as people left was that the food, the drink and the entertainment were great.
In fact, at this point it is worth pointing out two very big difference between the Halloween Firework Party and the good old traditional Bonfire. First, we provided undercover and indoor entertainment for Youngsters (as well as the bar and music for adults) at this ‘meet the neighbour’s event. They loved it… either playing in the warm Community Centre, undercover in the marquees or hanging out with the friends. Second, consequently their Parents and Carers were not nattered by them saying I’m cold, I’m bored, when are the Fireworks going to be and can we go home? In fact, we had children and parents still playing until after the end of the event.
Above everything else ‘cos the Community Association and their organising partner, the Football Club had secured the site, and there were no abnormal hazards, like in previous years such as the Bonfire, the parents could rest easy in the knowledge that their children were safe in the CC compound!
And finally, Yes, – the fireworks were very good … and that was from several people who watched it from their homes… perhaps they were too old for the Bouncy Castles … but for those who didn’t come please note - we have no upper age limit on who we sell to alcohol, dressing up and having Fun.
We look forward seeing you at next years’ meet the neighbours’ event- Halloween Firework Party Saturday 31st October 2026
