On Saturday evening, hundreds of people gathered at the Chislehurst Recreation Ground to enjoy the annual Guy Fawkes fireworks display. Despite the chill, the turnout for the extravaganza organised by the Rotary Club of Chislehurst was excellent.

All around, crowds of people were wrapped up in thick coats, scarfs and gloves to battle the cold. Rising above the sea of heads, were toddlers perched on their parents’ shoulders, trying to get a clear view of the spectacle. Many children were also waving the popular flashing lightsabres, which had been purchased on entry.  

To compliment the main event was a funfair, ranging from towering bouncy castles, to crowded burger stands from which the strong smell of onion and mustard wafted, to buzzing stalls where enormous stuffed toys hung waiting to be won. However, the most popular were the rides, that always had a long queue of excited children, and from which the delighted screams could be heard through the night.

There was a moment of mild panic as the bouncy castle temporarily collapsed, causing many parents to desperately rush in and rescue their children from the shrunken inflatable. Nevertheless, the rest of the evening went without a hitch.

Everybody chanted along with the countdown, getting louder and louder with each number until at last the long wait was over and the first firework exploded with a deafening bang, causing a mighty cheer from the crowd. Each blazing burst of light was accompanied by many ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ from the mesmerised onlookers. The fireworks were almost, but not quite, in time with the dramatic movie themed music, from much loved films such as Star Wars and the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Jennifer, aged 46 told me that “we usually go to the Danson park fireworks, but we tried the Chislehurst ones this year and made a night of it with a meal on the high street. We will come back and do the same next year” However, her husband was not so sure about the display saying “I thought the fireworks were okay but nothing special. This park doesn’t have the views you get at Danson.” Despite this, looking at the satisfied expressions on people’s faces as they left the park you would suspect that many would be back again next year.

Beatrice Elliott

Newstead Wood School