Get ready for the big bang!
This Saturday, the annual Wokingham Fireworks event will take place – there’s some changes at the starting point
THIS weekend, the night skies will be lit up with pretty displays as the nation remembers, remembers the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.
And one of the biggest local displays will take place in Wokingham town centre.
The massive charity event on Saturday raises thousands of pounds each year for local charities and is organised by a team of volunteers.
This year, because of the town centre regeneration works, there will be some changes to how the event operates.
The annual torchlit procession will take place as normal but instead of starting outside the town hall in Market Place, it will go from the borough council offices in Shute End.
One of the organisers, Andy Slay, said: “It’s free to park after 3pm in borough council car parks in the town centre. Please park in these as there will be parking restrictions around Cantley.”
Torches, glow sticks and spinners will still be available to buy from friendly volunteers, all wearing yellow Lions, Rotary Club or Unicorn Club tabards. Money raised from these sales will all go to charity.
The organisers ask that you don’t buy from unauthorised traders, who they say may set up for personal profit rather than the good causes.
If you are buying a flaming torch to hold during the procession, the Lions advise that you wear leather gloves.
The procession goes from Shute End down Milton Road towards Cantley Field as usual – keep your eyes out for entertainment as you go down.
Entry to the site itself is by programme, as usual. One programme per person and these can be purchased in advance from a range of shops (see end of the article), from volunteers in the town centre on Saturday or on the gate: be aware they cost more on the gate!
Both the procession and Cantley Field start at 6pm and there is a fun fair to enjoy before watching the fireworks. Food stalls will be on site and there will be plenty to do.
A themed display will then start from 7.30pm. Organisers promise that it will be the best-ever show with plenty of wow!
And then there will be an enormous bonfire to enjoy.
“Most displays don’t do a bonfire these days, but we do,” Mr Slay said.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than ever before, we’ve spent more money on fireworks to give the best possible display.”
The event aims to raise at least £25,000 (last year they raised more) for good causes including First Days, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, Topic of Cancer, Building For The Future and Wokingham In Need.
The forecast for Saturday is currently dry and chilly - it will be around 7ºC with a strong wind. Rain is forecast the night before so Cantley Field could be muddy. Please note, no personal fireworks, sparklers or alcohol will be allowed on the site.
The event is organised by members of Wokingham Rotary
Club, Easthampstead Rotary Club, Wokingham Lions club, Windsor
Forest Unicorn Club and Thames West Unicorn Club.
Tickets can be bought from The Wokingham Information Centre in the old Town Hall, Tesco, Newbury Building Society, Barclays Bank, Purple Butterfly and Antique Rose in Wokingham
Town Centre. Volunteers will sell programmes in the town on Saturday.
Programmes bought before Saturday cost £5 and £7.50 on the day, under sevens get in free.
“Ticket sales are going well,” said Mr Slay. “It’s one of the cheapest displays around and we still make decent money for charity.”
For full details visit www. wokinghamfireworks.co.uk
Of course, it’s not the only firework display this weekend - for a full list log on to our website and see the what’s on listings on page 33.