THE RAIN stopped, the band began to play, and thousands of residents made their way from Wokingham Market Place through Wokingham’s streets for an evening of family fun in Cantley Park on Saturday.
Leading this year’s Wokingham Fireworks annual torchlit procession to the pyrotechnic display were St Sebastian Wokingham Band, Wokingham MP Clive Jones, Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell, Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Louise Timlin, Mini Town Mayor Avani from Floreat Montague Park, and Wokingham Fireworks competition winner, 10 year old Ellen Gardner.
Avani said: “I’m really excited to be here; I love all fireworks.”
And both town mayors were equally enthusiastic about the event.
Cllr Carol Jewell joked: “I love the oohs and the aahs, but I’m not so keen on the loud bangs.”
Cllr Louise Timlin was struck by the procession, too.
“It’s such an amazing thing to take part in,” she said.
“This is the first time my husband and I have processed with a torch.”
This year seven and a half thousand people joined the event, with more than 700 torches lit.
The thrilling spectacle is a major fundraiser for local charities and organisations, raising thousands of pounds each year..
After the procession, participants are able to enjoy a spectacular choreographed firework display to music, a funfair, and food stalls offering hot snacks and drinks.
Run by Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust, the event is made possible by more than 90 volunteers who give up many hours of their time.
Welcoming people to Cantley Park, Fireworks Committee chair David Gold thanked all the volunteers, both town councils, all the event sponsors and supporters, and MC Production Group who designed the pyrotechnics.
As they entered the field, visitors were first able to enjoy a laser light display.
Then Ellen Gardner, whose prize as Wokingham Fireworks competition winner was to open the pyrotechnic display, led the fireworks countdown with confidence.
David Gold said: “Our volunteers give so much of their time to make this event so successful.
“Many have been here on the day from 9am, and will certainly have been soaked at times this afternoon.
“None of them have to be here, but they come, they’re brilliant, and they all work hard.
“And we all have the great satisfaction of knowing that we are raising money for charities.
“This year we are supporting four main organisations; Soulscape, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Samaritans Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot & Districts, and Bibs (Babies in Buscot Support).”
The event was a great success.
And thanks to volunteers and Wokingham Scouts who cleared up Cantley Field the following morning, no-one would know it had taken place.
Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust is made up of members from Wokingham Rotary Club, Easthampstead Rotary Club, Wokingham Lions Club. Windsor Forest Unicorn Club, and Club 41.
For information, visit: wokingham-fireworks.co.uk
