More photos of Bonfire Night 2013

This selection is from Peter Howard - not all 250, but a fair representation!

Thanks to Peter - if anyone else has any pictures or would like to contribute a review, please use the email link.

Copyright P Howard

Bonfire Night 2013

Bonfire Night 2013 photos by Roger Bramford

Please scroll down for full report

Bonfire Night 2013 - As it Happened!

Fairchilds Meadow  Friday 8 November 2013

Well, the Thursday weather forecast said it would be dry on Friday, but Friday morning dawned ... and the forecast had changed to sunny intervals until 18:00 then heavy rain !!!  It actually started to rain at 1 pm and continued heavily and continuously throughout the afternoon.  The teams setting up got soaked and the roof gutter between the two tents filled at an alarming rate and the Safety Officer kept emptying it by squashing it upwards with his hands and admiring the resultant waterfall plummeting down someone’s neck (only kidding).  

At 6 pm it was STILL raining.  At 6:15 pm, the Bonfire Officer came bounding into the food tent, wondering whether we could have the event tomorrow instead.  He is happy that the fire can be lit OK but was concerned that we might not have an audience!  Everyone was happy to come back tomorrow or continue today, all eyes were on the Chair for a decision.  She decided to carry on as planned and make the final decision by quarter to 7.

It was all very convivial, people laughing and joking.  Surely the rain, having started earlier than it should have done, would stop earlier than expected ... at 10 pm rather than 11 pm, haha  The chief cook said he would ease back on the throttle regarding food preparations.  The Chair squelched her way to the other end of the field, to the fireworks team.  The fireworks supplier team, who oversee the firing, did not know whether they were available for the Saturday: they needed to hear from their head office (who were possibly out doing another display).  The Fireworks Officer made the valid point that, in poor weather, spectators are more likely to arrive beyond 7 pm rather than the gate-opening time of 6:30 pm, for a display that starts at 7:30 pm.

Quarter to 7 came and it was STILL raining but less heavily, and only one family had shown up to spectate (family of one of the helpers).  The fireworks supplier team still had not heard from their head office.

At about 5 to 7, the rain stopped.  More people were approaching down the lane.  'I've made my decision’ , the Chair cried to the Gate Guys, it's going ahead, the rain has stopped, the weather is mild, it's gonna be good'  They cheered.

The Chair ran around like a mad thing, telling people it's going ahead.  “At 5 past 7 pm, I turned round and there were about 100 spectators in the field and loads more were coming down the lane!”

The rain held off for the rest of the evening, and the event went well.  Guys were judged at 7:15 pm, and the fire was lit at 7:25 pm.  It was quite smoky, but the smoke looked very photogenic the way it was lit up, and as it was blowing to the right (east), it was not in anyone’s way.  

The fireworks started at 10 to 8, as they were not put out until the rain had stopped.   They were indeed spectacular.  The only downside was that the audience seemed about half that of last year.  And there were fewer Guys.

So, a cliff-hanger beginning, but a worthwhile and brilliant show in the end.  We are so grateful to all the spectators who came to support us despite the dreadful weather.  And to the children who made the Guys – well done.

And, of course; our sincere thanks to the many, many helpers who prepared for the event, turned up on the night, and dealt with the wet and muddy kit afterwards!

Report by The Chair

Food Prices for Bonfire Night 2013

Burgers £3

Hot dogs £3

Onions free

Baked potatoes £1.50

Beans 50p

Cheese 50p

Soup 50p

Canned drinks 50p

Tea or coffee 50p

Bonfire Night 2013

Bonfire Night 2013 will be on Friday 8 November
Fairchilds Meadow at the end of Chewells Lane in Haddenham
Gates open 6:30
Guy judging 7:15
Fireworks 7:30

Adults £4
Children £2 BUT
TWO CHILDREN GET IN FREE IF YOU BRING A  GUY!

Welcome to our 2013 Bonfire Night
There will be hot food and drinks served all evening so, just in case the huge bonfire is not enough to keep you warm, you can get something inside you to do the job!
(Food and drink prices will be published here after our next planning meeting on 8 October)

All the Guys brought by the younger spectators will be seated comfortably on the bonfire ready to be judged at 7:15.  Then the owners of the winning guy will press the button to start the fire.  This will be followed by the spectacular noisy firework display.

Some helpful advice if this will be your first visit
Fairchilds Meadow is a grass field which can be a bit muddy in wet weather.
There is no parking nearby - the nearest is about a quarter of a mile away so access is on foot down a sloping unsurfaced track which might be difficult for wheelchairs.
Fairchilds Meadow is at the bottom of Chewells Lane off Hop Row in Haddenham Ely CB6 3SS

Please note: For everyone's safety personal fireworks and sparklers are not permitted