Wokingham’s fabulous firework display, and 10,000 pairs of muddy wellies

THE ORGANISERS of this year’s Wokingham Charity Fireworks Spectacular were delighted that tickets for the event were completely sold out.

On Saturday evening around 10,000 visitors turned up for what promised to be an eye-catching event.

The programme began with a torchlit procession from Wokingham’s Market Place.

Carrying burning torches, and led by St Sebastian Brass Band, people walked from the town centre to Cantley Park, where the firework display took place.

Visitors were also able to enjoy a traditional funfair, and food from a range of stallholders.

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Leading the procession were: Deputy Wokingham Borough Council mayor councillor Adrian Mather, Wokingham town mayor councillor Sally Gurney, her consort Chris Cooke, Wokingham town mini mayor, Leah Vas, and art competition winner Alfie Ferguson, who also led the fireworks countdown.

The event is organised by Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust, with members drawn from Wokingham Lions, Easthampstead and Wokingham Rotary, and Windsor Forest Unicorn Club.

Charities to benefit from this year’s event are: Daisy’s Dream, a group that supports children affected by bereavement; First Days Children’s Charity which provides everyday essentials for struggling families; and Life Education Wessex & Thames Valley, which communicates healthy life choices to children in schools.

Wokingham In Need, which supports the homeless and vulnerable is another beneficiary, along with Sue Ryder, which offers palliative, neurological and bereavement support.

Chair of Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust David Gold said: “I think this is one of our best shows so far, and the beauty of it is that all the money raised will go to charity.

“We sold out our 10,000 tickets, and I’m relieved that it has all gone so well.”

The firework display kept the attention of the visitors with plenty of drama and colour.

Chris from Vulcan Fireworks choreographed the light show.

“It all starts with the music, and then we choose fireworks to express emotions and take people on a journey,” he explained.

At the other end of the field children were able to bungee jump, and visit traditional fairground stalls and rides.

Food outlets allowed queues of hungry visitors to buy doughnuts, pizzas, fried chicken, noodles, burgers, and hog roast – which did so well that it rapidly sold out.

The field was very wet underfoot, but did nothing to dampen people’s spirits.

“The field does get very muddy,” said Mr Gold.

“And we can’t do anything about that unfortunately, but the grass does recover quite rapidly.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved, our volunteers, and the Scouts who help to clear up after the event.”

Alfie Ferguson,10, from Waverley School, was the lucky winner of the Wokingham Charity Fireworks children’s drawing competition.

His prize was to lead the fireworks countdown, accompanied by proud parents Catherine and Tim.

Alfie was delighted to win the role.

“We had lots of pictures at school to look at,” he said.

“I took inspiration from those to make my winning picture of Guy Fawkes.”

WBC deputy mayor Cllr Adrian Mather said: “It was lovely to see the field so full, and everyone having a great time.

“We used to live in Woosehill, and it was lovely and quiet there.

“Then we moved to Reading Road, and the first time we heard the Wokingham Fireworks we had two little ones trying to get to sleep.

“We wondered what on earth was going on, and thought we must have the most unbelievably noisy neighbours.

“Then we noticed the procession, and asked ourselves what all these people were doing walking down the street with lit torches.

“Now we know: they’re all on their way to Cantley Park to have a great time.

“On behalf of all the organisers, and the town, I’d like to say that everybody is welcome here, whether you’ve just moved into the area, or you’ve lived here your whole life.”

Wokingham town mayor Cllr Sally Gurney said: “I’ve been trying to come to the fireworks for years, but it just hasn’t been possible for one reason or another.

“This is my first time at the event, and I thought the procession looked absolutely incredible.”

Mini mayor Leah Vas, a pupil at Floreat Montague Park school, was excited to be attending in her official role.

“I love fireworks,” the 11 year old said.

“It’s great to be able to see them up close this year.

“Last time we watched from a car park a long way away.”

Cllr Gurney added: “One of the first things that Leah did when she became my mini mayor was to hold a sale of her own handmade jewellery to raise money for my Mayor’s Charity.”

“Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs were so grateful and excited that they rang me up to tell me what she had done.

“I couldn’t have chosen a better mini mayor.”

David Gold and his team of organisers thank all the groups that helped to make the event a success.

These include: St Sebastian Wokingham Band, Thames Valley Police, Wokingham District Scouts, Wokingham Borough Council, Wokingham Town Council, Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, MC Production Group, Wokingham Theatre, and VolkerWessels UK .

They also thank their sponsors: Wokingham Society, Prospect Estate Agents, and Alexandra Grange Care Home.

Finally they thank Wokingham Borough Council deputy mayor Cllr Adrian Mather, the Wokingham Town Council mayor Cllr, Sally Gurney, mini mayor Leah Vas, and competition winner Alfie Ferguson, for leading the torchlit parade.