A COMMUNITY has rallied round after vandals set fire to a bonfire intended for a charity firework display taking place tonight.
Late yesterday evening, residents reported the blaze in King George V’s Recreation Field and it looked like the finale to this year’s Twyford & District Round Table firework display would be cancelled.
However, this morning residents have come to the rescue and it’s looking like tonight’s bonfire will be bigger and better than ever before.
A steady stream of burnable wood has been brought to the field, including wood pallets from Binghams Brewery, tree trunks from Winson Woodcraft Tree Surgery and offers of help from companies such as Jewsons the building merchants.
A team from the Round Table have been on site all day preparing the revamped bonfire.
Round Table spokesperson Joshua Greedy told The Wokingham Paper: “We’ve had an amazing response. It’s looking like it will be a bigger bonfire than we’d expected. It’s amazing really.
“We’re disappointed that the bonfire was set off, but we’ve nearly finished the rebuilding. Lots of people have been coming along with donations and bringing us tea and coffee which has been great.
“It’s going to be a huge display and a great show. It’s going to be a clear night.
“The event is bringing the community together, it’s all about friendship.”
And in a message on social media, the group said: “Unfortunately last night someone set light to the magnificent bonfire we spent all day yesterday building.
“We are disappointed this happened and our thanks are to the fire brigade and the public that brought it to our attention. Firstly I would like to say this absolutely won’t stop us going ahead with tonight’s firework extravaganza!
“Secondly, we’re rebuilding the bonfire today and thank the Twyford Community for their help and supportive messages.
“This will be a great demonstration of how Twyford can come together to support each other.”
Chris Bingham, from Binghams Brewery, said: “It would have been a shame that thoughtless people would have ruined it for everyone else.
“I don’t like the idea that people would have been disappointed if they had turned up and there was no bonfire.
It’s good to be able to help the Round Table to rebuild it. I didn’t want Twyford being disappointed tonight.”
And Clive Winson from Winson Woodcraft was equally pleased to help.
“I got a call late last night telling me that the bonfire has been set alight and they [the Round Table] were struggling to get new materials.
“I had the materials in my yard that I could donate,” he said.
Clive took them round this morning, including several pallets and tree trunks. Now he’s looking forward to seeing his efforts today go up in smoke.
“I will be there tonight,” he said. “Today is just community spirit.”
Gates open for tonight’s event at 6.30pm with the display starting at 7.30pm.
Celebrating 100 Years of the RAF
The theme is 100 Years of the RAF and the firework display will be set to music and lights, with the bonfire lighting being the centrepiece. The guy has been chosen from a Facebook poll.
The night will feature a barbecue, coffee, card, contactless and cash bar stocked with real local ales, traditional mulled wines, and hot chocolate for the young or young at heart. Fairground rides will blur the night sky and stalls with glow sticks will bring the night to life.
The event has raised more than £40,000 over the past few years.
Twyford and District Round Table Chairman Mark Robinson explained what the local group brings to the community and the bonfire night in general.
He said: “As men of the local community, we can’t wait to present a fantastic bonfire show with a firework display that commemorates the last 100 years of the Royal Air Force. We want to celebrate not only the achievements of these brave individuals but also show that our local community provides us with a stage to have a fantastic night.”
“I would also like to also emphasise that this is a volunteer group who stage this event for charitable causes will all proceeds from ticket sales, food/drink and glowsticks going to local charities. If you are interested in what we do, and you are a male aged 18-45 interested in joining us, please do get in touch.”
How to get tickets for tonight’s show
Physical tickets will be available at Twyford News and the gate on the night priced at adults £7, or £4 youngsters aged 12-16 and seniors aged over 60. Children’s tickets are £1.
Weather forecast
This evening is going to be a cold night, with forecasters predicting temperatures dropping to around 4ºC – it will feel colder as the event is taking place in the open air. There is a good chance that there could be rain showers during the display.
Look out for The Wokingham Paper at the display tonight – a picture special will appear in Thursday’s paper
