Our weekend to remember and it ended with a bang! (with pictures)
CLUTCHING their illuminated swords, Chloe Boiling, seven, and Oliver Fry, three, watched with wide-eyed wonder as more than 800 fireworks lit up the night sky.
It was a fitting end to what has been a doubly-exciting weekend for children across Derbyshire, with Halloween tricks and treats on Saturday night and bonfire celebrations on Sunday.
-
-
kickerx hyhyhhy: Staff at Sainsburys in the Westfield Centre offered face-painting for kids. Above, Staff member Linda Kovacs and Isabella Hannah, two, from Oakwood. Left, Jeyar Abdulkarim, two, from Derby. Far left, Monica Sergi, seven, dressed as a witch for Kedleston Hall's Halloween celebrations.
-
-
-
-
-
Despite fears that heavy rain and high winds on Sunday morning would put a dampener on the annual fireworks event at Markeaton Park, thousands of people braved the autumnal weather to see the display.
With 866 fireworks, using more than 1,000m of wiring, the 22-minute show was certainly one to remember.
Sara Allen, Chloe's mum, said that the family had been several times over the years.
She said: "The children get very excited and look forward to seeing the fireworks each time."
James Northridge, of Oaklands Avenue, Littleover, was there with Angela Kennedy and children Rhianna Lenton, five, and Kian Dunn, three.
Mr Northridge said: "I was worried the event wouldn't take place when I saw the morning rain and wind, but thankfully it got better and it was a great show, as always."
Not everyone was happy, however. Some people missed the fireworks, claiming to have been misled by a Ram FM website reference to the event starting at 7pm, rather than 6pm.
One of them, Shawn Ride, said: "There will have been many people like us with young children who must have been just as disappointed as we were."
The fireworks followed the traditional lighting of the bonfire and a sponsored fire-walk in aid of the Derbyshire Association for the Blind.
Thirty volunteers took part in a two-hour motivation session and then dashed across the glowing coals.
Fundraiser Abigail Beaney said: "We are hoping to raise in the region of £4,000."
Chris Butler, 61, of Duffield, was one of the fire-walkers.
She said: "I have never done anything like it before and it was a brilliant experience for such a good cause."
Eileen Gadsby, of Chesterfield, took part at the age of 77.
She said: "I am a volunteer with the association and thought it would be fun to give it a go. I didn't feel a thing."
Alice Williams was at the event for the first time with daughter Summer, two, from Eastwood. She said: " I thought Summer would like to see the fireworks which have been brilliant."
6 Comments
by Sarah, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:23PM
“Very disappointing, having visited the website and listening to Ram FM the start time confirmed was 6.45pm for the bonfire and 7.00pm for the fireworks. Having arrived at the university at 6.30pm and paying five pound for parking we saw the final four bangs of the fireworks¿..
I feel sorry for parents and small children that were entering and were none the wiser waiting for them to start at 7.00pm. What a disorganised event!!”
by parent, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:12PM
“The last time I went to this event was 6 years ago, for the same reasons, drinking, fighting and people openly smoking cannabis, my lad was 5 years old and terrified. Never bothered since and can't see that changing. Given that it is supposed to be a family event, there needs to be more of a police/security presence so families can enjoy it without the worry of being caught between fighting factions etc.”
by david, derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 2:58PM
“Couldn't agree more - usually go to a smaller event, but decided to try this instead.
Wrong time advertised on the website so all the fireworks were missed. Recommended parking was the furthest point away from the entrance. Dangerous bottlenecking en route. Full of chav idiots. Even the stuff they were selling for teh kids either didn't work or broke straight away. Badly organised rabble and will be the first and last time I take kids to this”
by Ben, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 2:48PM
“I agree with Tim's comment about the start time... Ram FM advertised it on the radio as a 5.45pm start time but their website said 6.45pm (very smart). Derby City Councils website did say 5.45pm but there was very little effort to make this change of start time known!!
One thing a was appalled at was the general policing of this event... Young teenagers were walking around with cans of lager and cider, I witnessed a couple of scuffles between groups of teens, and was disgusted at the overpowering smell of cannabis when walking past two young lads. This is supposed to be a family event which is why i took my 6 year old daughter there to see the fireworks and have a go on some of the funfair rides, but this was spoilt by a small minority of troublemakers. Just goes to show what this uncontrollable world is coming to.”
by rebecca, stenson fields
Monday, November 02 2009, 2:44PM
“Ram fm had advertised this event at two different times apparently depending on which link you used to look at the event.There was alot f disappointed children and very angry parents.I wouldnt consider going again as stated in the report very dangerous to get to and an accident waiting to happen.”
by Tim, Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 12:24PM
“We spent 30 minutes packed like sardines in a very dangerous environment trying to walk down the A38 pavement & clambering over fencing supports (which we were simply pushed up against) along with thousands of other people who also hadn't realised that the good old council had changed the start time this year without bothering to point it out sufficiently. It created a very dangerous environment, as 5000 people were trying to get out - just as 5,000 people were also trying to get in at 6.45pm. Any person in authority working for the council who hadn't realised the potential for a total disaster really needs to consider finding a job that doesn't involve thinking. It was pure chaos, and there were indeed a lot of angry people who had every right to be angry. I wonder what time it will be next year?”