	Welcome to CROCKHAM HILL EVENTS
	CROCKHAM HILL BONFIRE SOCIETY

Crockham Hill Guy Fawkes Night including

Guy Competition,Torch Lit Procession, Fireworks and Bonfire

Crockham Hill Firework and Bonfire Night

ANNUAL FIREWORKS GO WITH A BANG
At least 900 people turned out to see fireworks light the sky at the annual extravaganza at the end of October. The night began with a torchlit procession through the village, followed by an impressive display of fireworks. The event also included a bonfire graced by a model of Guy Fawkes.
This year the committee asked children to wear fancy dress. The standard of entries was excellent, and we hope this will again become a fun part of the yearly event. The Guy competition was won by Annabel Buxton; Joseph and William Collins came second with their ‘Spiderman’ and Felicity’s Nursery came third. Congratulations and thank you to all our entrants.
The committee will be holding its AGM at 8pm on Monday January 25th at The Royal Oak. All are welcome – for more details call me on 864750. Finally we would like to thank all villagers and friends of Crockham Hill for supporting this village event. We look forward to seeing you all again next year. Jane Bradley-Smith

A BONFIRE PERSPECTIVE
As Jane has said, another successful bonfire night has been enjoyed, with spectators from far and wide. It was not always so….
    Over 50 years ago three village boys asked Miss Wickens, the school’s Headmistress, to let them celebrate Guy Fawkes night. There were modest fireworks and a small bonfire, and fancy dress entries were judged on the school’s playground (now under the Infants’ classroom) with a single wall light put up by an electrician father. In time fancy dress classes became too much for the playground, so the W.I. Hall (now also a thing of the past) was used for judging, with many age divisions and group entries. Current events were often used as a subject; the closure of the Westerham railway line was one such.
    Fireworks, starting with family groups, became bigger, using trees in the field opposite the school as stands. The displays became larger, the fancy dresses fewer, and the making of the guy sometimes a problem. As the event grew, more help was needed, and stewards with walkie-talkies became the norm. The mainly school committee took on other members and safety requirements resited the bonfire to the other side of the New Road. We now have a well-practised firework team, and this year saw the return of fancy dress entries after a few years’ break, with the procession starting from a more central point in Smith’s Lane.
    Will there, I wonder, be another Newsletter item after the next 50 years, recording further changes? Watch this space.                                                                                                                                                                           Freda McBride

This year’s extravaganza will take place on Saturday 30tht October 2010 and promises to be better than ever!

The 2009 Crockham Hill firework display was sponsored by Geoff Boorman Fuels

Here are the important details about tickets, timing and the Guy Competition:

Tickets (for next year)
Advance tickets can be purchased from The Royal Oak Public House, Crockham Hill Primary School Westerham Garage and Four Elms Service Station. Advance tickets are £4.00 for adults and £2.00 for children, as opposed to £6.00 for adults and £3.00 for children (under 14) if bought on the gate, so take advantage.

Procession, Bonfire and Fireworks
The procession will be leaving Smiths Lane at 6.30pm so if you want to take part please assemble in Church Road from 6.00pm onwards. Bonfire and Fireworks will start at 7.00pm in the field along New Road. As always there will be refreshments available in the field.

Refreshments are available in advance of the fireworks at The Royal Oak. Burgers, Hot Dogs and drinks are available on-site at the firework display.

Guy and Poster Competition
The Guy competition will be judged by Fiona in The Royal Oak on Monday 25th 2010, every entry gets a prize with the winner being displayed at the front of the torchlit procession

Other Information

As ever the Committee would welcome any help in organising this year’s event. If you are interested in being involved, or simply want to find out more, for further details, please call Jane Bradley-Smith on 864750.

Due to Health and safety reasons Sparklers are not allowed at any point during the torch lit procession or during the bonfire, any lit sparklers will be removed and extinguished by the Stewards. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Time

Location

Event

18.00

18.30

19.00

19.15

Crockham Hill Village Hall

Main Road - Crockham Hill (up and down hill)

New Lane - Crockham Hill

Loading of the guy on to the cart

Torch lit procession