Wokingham’s Fireworks event looks set to be the best ever, raising a record amount for charity.
The borough came together on Saturday for the annual event held at Cantley Park.
Organised by a consortium of Lions, Unicorns and Rotary clubs, the evening raises thousands for local charities.
Organiser Alan Rouse said: “It will be a week or two before we know, but early indications are, so far, it was the best night ever. I won’t quote any figures, but it looks like more than £20,000 was raised for charity.”
The record breaking figure comes despite heavy rain all day leading to fears the event could be postponed as it had been last year. However, thousands turned out in Wokingham’s Market Place for a torchlit procession to the Twyford Road venue.
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The Saint Sebastian Wokingham Band led the procession, which was headed by Wokingham borough mayor Cllr Parry Batth and Wokingham town mayor Cllr Philip Mirfin.
At the Cantley Park site, there was a funfair, music from Heart Berkshire
and food from a range of vendors before the Rugby World Cup-themed display was
started. The bonfire was shaped like a rugby pitch and formed the finale to the event.
Due to the rain, the field was muddy and Mr Rouse said: “It was a bit like a quagmire at
times. Anyone who wasn’t wearing wellingtons would have had to clean their shoes when they got home.”
Charities that will benefit from the display include Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Dingley Family & Specialist Early Learning Centres, the Me2 Club, The Wayz youth centre and Topic of Cancer.
Cllr Batth added he was delighted to have been invited to the event.
He said: “I thoroughly enjoy it and it was great to see all the community come together and support all those charities.
“All the money raised will be spread across the Wokingham borough so I was really pleased to support that.
“It was an absolutely fantastic display. Just when we thought it would end, all of a sudden more [fireworks] would go up. It was a credit to all the organisations that were involved in it.”
