Chieveley Fireworks

Chieveley Fireworks  - Saturday 5 November 2011

Update Sat 5 Nov: All is set for a great fireworks display this evening. The fireworks have been set up, food and drink ready and bonfire built. See you from 6.15pm.

Timings

• Gates open 6.15pm
• Deadline for entries to Guy Competition 6.30pm
• Judging of Guys 6.45pm
• Torchlight procession of guys to bonfire 7.00pm
• Bonfire lit 7.15pm
• Fireworks 7.45pm

Food and Drink

As always there will be a great selection of food and drink to choose from. This includes a licensed bar, refreshments, and a BBQ serving locally produced burgers, sausages and bacon from Chieveley's Down Farm with rolls and doughnuts from Shepherd's Bakery in Chieveley.

Parking 

Free parking is available on or near to the Recreation Ground.

Guy Competition

Parents, please encourage your children to enter the Guy Competition. There are lots of prizes to be won. You and your Guy will take part in the torch-lit procession from the marquee next to the Village Hall, through the crowds to the bonfire. Your Guy will be positioned on the bonfire and you will see it go up in flames.

There will be two categories;

1. Traditional Guy

2. Harry Potter  (choose a character from the books and films)

First prize for each category £25, second prize £15, third prize £10 

Bring your Guys to the tent next to the Village Hall by 6.30pm at the latest for judging.

If you would like to be more involved in this annual event as a volunteer helper, please contact Neil Haynes on 247414.

History of Chieveley Fireworks

The Chieveley Fireworks Display is believed to be the longest running village fireworks display in the UK. Back in the early 1960s the then Downlands Practice doctor, Doc Arnold (David Arnold) was inspired when he saw a village firework display while on holiday in France. He set to and organised the event until the millennium, ably assisted by Andrew Shepherd of Shepherds Bakery and Colin Heslop.

Over the years, the event has grown considerably and now people flock to it from miles around, favouring it for its village atmosphere, where children young and old can be sure to meet their friends. The sudden death of Andrew Shepherd in the late '90s and Doc Arnold's increasing immobility meant the event was at risk of disappearing.

Fortunately, Alan Agar stepped in and organised the Fireworks up to 2005 bringing back in-house the burger and bar concessions so that these are now manned by volunteers, so increasing the funds raised for the Village Hall.

Shepherds Bakery continue to sponsor the event providing Chieveley rolls and other confectionary, whilst locally produced burgers and sausages are used in the Barbecue. The long standing Guy Competition continues to flourish. The themes have varied considerably over the years, from true to period costume Guy Faulkes through to Harry Potter and James Bond.

In 2007 Nick Hamlin and Chris Carter-Keal were professionally trained to Category 4 Fireworks standards. This followed in 2008 with Malcom Pullinger being professionally trained to the same standard. All three joined Giles Derry and the rest of the combined Chieveley & Thatcham Firing team ably led by Colin Heslop.

Animal welfare

Click here for a guide to fireworks and animal welfare