Chairmans Report 2008
2007 saw another spectacular firework display on bonfire night and this was again
a credit to all the hard work put in by the bonfire boys & girls and all our helpers.
We have again found an increasing demand for our society’s expertise in providing
displays for private functions and we would welcome any enquiries for weddings,
birthday parties & the like.
As with many things that we all do, there are increasing pressures for regulation
and I believe that we are coping well with these requirements. However, it does
put increased pressure on our member’s workload and I would like to appeal to anyone
who feels that they might be able to offer help in any way. This could be anything
from helping on our Village Day stall to preparing procession floats or marshalling
of events. Perhaps you could help on the admin side, the preparation of this program
for example.
Although we have worked hard to raise funds for this current year, there is an ongoing
need for donations or fund raising ideas and assistance.
If you think you might be able to help in any way, please contact me on 01444 487722
or our Secretary, Wendy Box on 01444 482809.
This year, we have been involved in seminars and meetings involving the police and
all emergency services on an initiative for proposed Safety Advisory Groups and
by the time you read this it is likely that we will had to substantially review
such things as the marshalling and control of the bonfire display and procession.
I would therefore ask for your co-operation if you are attending, to comply with
instructions from our marshals in all things which we have been made responsible
for, such as crowd control and direction of traffic.
We have been reminded by the police that IT IS ILLEGAL for persons under the age
of 18 to posse’s fireworks (which includes sparklers) and they will arrest people
who set fireworks off in a public place.
Please help us to maintain the good order which has been a credit to our processions
and displays in the past and enjoy yourselves on the night.
THE MONEY WE COLLECT ON 5TH NOVEMBER GOES TO LOCAL CHILDREN’S CHARITIES. PLEASE GIVE
GENEROUSLY ON THE DAY.
Colin Vinall
Chairman
Farm Cottage, Scaynes Hill Road, Walstead RH16 2QQ
Tel: 01444 487722
Bonfire Captains Report 2008
Every year when I sit down to write my report it seems to get harder to think of
something to write. But my the Boys & Girls of the Society have had a busy year
to date.
Our firework team have had a busy time this year. Four of the team went over to
Valencia in March for the ‘Fallas’ festival to pick up some ideas for their display.
Personally I think it was just an excuse to get away from the winter blues in the
UK and consume as much alcohol as possible. But they did to their credit come back
with some good and not so good ideas. Naturally their idea of having a big street
display in the High Street didn’t go down to well, but boys will be boys as they
say. They also managed to fit in a few private displays, notably Ardingly College
& our Presidents daughters wedding. The display that they did over the pond for
one of our supporters was also very well received. So their skills should be finely
tuned for the display on the ‘Fifth’. As always they want to go one better than
last year.
The fund raising side of things has gone pretty well this year. With our outside
displays, a Barn Dance & Village Day bringing in a healthy amount of funds to help
us put on this year’s show. Village Day in particular was a great success.
The China Smash is always a winner when it comes to letting of stress. We also won
first prize for our War Memorial float to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the
end of World War one. Which had the names of the Villagers of Lindfield who gave
their lives for our freedom. Again this was well received and generated a lot of
interest from people on the day.
Sadly earlier on this year we lost one of our life members, Mr W. Foster Ogg who
was a much liked member of the society. Although I didn’t personally know him, I
know many of our older members & residents of the village did and the news was met
with much sadness.
On a final note I would like to thank Alison, Max, Roy & Andrew for all their hard
work and support on the night and through the year. Its much appreciated. Also to
our new programme team, although only youngsters compared to the rest of us they’ve
done a fantastic job.
So it just leaves me to say have a happy, safe & enjoyable ‘Fifth’.
Kim Lucas
Bonfire Captain
