Despite the very bad weather this again provided a magnificent display to a crowd of more than 4,000 which was estimated to be 1,000 less than last year.

This was reflected in the bucket collection which was £1,300 less than last year and only just covered the cost of the fireworks and the setting up costs involved in providing the evenings exciting display.

The day started with members of the Beverley Lions roping of a safe area from where the fireworks were to be let off from and this involved fixing a total of 60 metal stakes along with fixing a safety rope for the crowd to stand behind at a safe distance away from the fireworks.

The bonfire had also to be fenced off and metal crowd barriers had to be lifted into position to provide a safe area for the public to view the bonfire.

Vehicles of the numerous stallholders also arrived and had to be directed into their allocated positions.

The giant bonfire was lit at 7.15pm by the mayor of Beverley, Councillor Ken Thorley together with the president of the Beverley Lions Club, Peter Doughty and the quickly the flames provided a magnificent glow in the evening sky.

This was followed by the professional fireworks display with superb rockets etc that thrilled the young children, mums, dads and everyone who turned out and enjoyed this wonderfully free evening of spectacular fireworks.

Early next morning the members of the Beverley Lions Club together with wives, children and friends were back on the Westwood not only taking down the barriers and collecting the stakes but more importantly picking up all of the rubbish left behind and returning the Westwood back to its original pristine condition.

The rubbish not only included polystyrene food trays, plastic beaker's, soft drink bottles, glass beer bottles, metal cans, aluminium foil etc but also the dangerous metal sparkler wires that had been lit and left by the general public. All of this amounted to 50 dustbin bags full of rubbish for disposal.

The Beverley Lions Club would like to thank the Pasture Masters of Beverley for again allowing this event to take place on the Westwood, and the Beverley Town Council for providing the machinery for building of the Bonfire.

They are also are most grateful for the continued support of Boyes Store of Beverley for their annual donation of £250, St John Ambulance Brigade who provided first aid, Add Plant of Beverley who provided and transported the safety barriers together with Nigel Rice Transport, Brookes Tiles and Andrews Vehicle Hire and everyone who helped with the bucket collection.

Harry Burton,
PRO Beverley Lions Club
Highcroft
Cherry Burton