[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Carling Weekend 2002 ] [ Party In The Park 2002 ] [ Bonfire Night ] [ Poverty Aid Benefit Gig ] [ Red Bull Soap Box Race ] [ Carling Weekend 2001 ] [ Party In The Park 2001 ] [ Nelson Mandela's Visit ]

Bonfire Night 2001, Roundhay Park - 05/11/01

"Fantastic, wonderful, happy, exciting and lovely……..

Well, I could stop there but you probably want a whole review!

Bonfire night is absolutely my favourite night of the year, especially since I started going to Roundhay Park to celebrate it. You can say what you like about Leeds City Council but they quite simply excel themselves every year on November 5^th, even the notoriously horrible Showsec security were nice.

We arrived on the last minute, traffic was fairly heavy and there was an awful lot of dodgy parking going on – if we hadn’t been able to park at a friend’s house (thanks Jo & Toby!) I would definitely have gone by bus and I’d advise others to do the same – less stressful and probably quicker.

Luckily the fireworks were delayed by 15 minutes or so, not that anyone minded. As we arrived at the top of the hill we were greeted by the awesome sight of thousands of happy people, flashy lights, sparklers and a HUGE bonfire. The traditional countdown echoed round the amphitheatre, and then….the fireworks began…..WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I am never shy of being childlike but no adult could help feeling like a little girl/boy again at this amazing display, the ‘oo’s and ‘aah’s were genuine delight and surprise – superb, fantastic, amazing, stunning (I think I’ve run out of adjectives now!). I had had a VERY bad day, but after that felt like a happy little fairy (aaaaah). Oh, and its great for actual kids as well!

What I really like about this event is the mix of people – quite literally a huge cross section of all the people of Leeds, all just purely enjoying themselves.

The fair, hot food stalls and Magic 828 roadshow all add the finishing touches to a perfect evening – thank you Leeds City Council, I will be back next year!

I still feel elated 12 hours later!" - Catherine Tonge

Just one negative note – PLEASE will the very few people who were throwing fireworks NOT DO IT, its really dangerous and I would hate for anyone to be put off going to the event because of a few idiots.