WOKINGHAM’S fireworks delivered a sell-out show on Saturday, as the event returned to Cantley.
The charity display sold 8,000 tickets before the big day, with residents eager to return to the town’s explosive evening.
It was one of the few years no tickets were available on the gate.
Organised by the Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust, proceeds are going to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice,
Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Wade, West Berkshire Young carers and Topic of Cancer.
Chairman of the trust, David Gold, said they were aiming to raise £25,000 to be split between the five charities.
“We are bowled over by the support on Saturday,” he said. “It was terrific, a real spectacle.
“We couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
While the hosts have yet to finalise the fundraising total, Mr Gold said the receipts are “very healthy” and he anticipates there will be “quite a lot of money” to distribute to charity.
In the lead up to the event, the trust ran its children’s drawing competition.
Winner, Rewa Kulkarni (6) led the countdown to the fireworks with her parents.
They were also at the front of the torchlit procession to Cantley Park, along with Wokingham town mayor, Cllr Tony Lack, deputy town mayor, Cllr Abdul Loyes and mini mayor, Joseph.
It began with St Sebastian’s band performing a range of tunes in Market Place, including Baggy Trousers, by Madness.
Crowds then walked down to Cantley Field, for the 7.30pm fireworks show.
It included a lightshow, and featured many songs from James Bond films throughout the decades.
“I think it was one of our best displays,” said Mr Gold. “The choice of the Bond music was perfectly timed with the new release.”
