Bonfire Night 2014

Written by Mandi Lynsdale ( Inkwell Volunteer)

Photographs by Ali Wilson ( Inkwell volunteer)

“Remember, remember the 5th November, Gunpowder, treason and plot”.

If there was any “plot” behind Inkwell’s bonfire, it was to make sure that those who came had a lovely, safe, inclusive and memorable evening. The comments made to me at this bonfire demonstrated that this was certainly achieved. This was in no small part due to the familiar faces of volunteers past and present, and also Inkwell’s supporters, who each worked tirelessly in the background and helped make the event a magical evening.

A band provided the relaxing musical back-drop for the evening as people queued for food and tucked into the delicious spread, then bravely braced the winter weather in all its glory. Indeed everywhere one looked there was evidence of the harsh cold as woolly clothing perched on the public’s heads, and graced their hands.

 

As it got to about 6:15 most of the people had congregated outside. They lined the patio as they craned their necks to look at the bonfire in the vast garden, or held their children so as not to lose them. There was indeed plenty to distract them, whilst their parents’ voices created a bubble of sound over the bonfire’s flames. The place was bursting.

 

 

Down in the centre of the garden was the teepee which had been created specially for Light Night, making a very popular second appearance. Adorned with fairy lights visitors were invited to explore it’s interior and were provided with torches as they entered. With a quick flick of the switch, once inside the tent, it became clear that it was festooned with many motivational quotes and intricate drawings. I couldn’t help but stand and contemplate their profound nature.

Afterwards I took the opportunity to ask a volunteer stationed outside the tent what they thought about the event. They believed the bonfire to be a ‘really, really lovely event which brought a lot of people together’, and its ‘really great to see so many people supporting Inkwell too’.

I wandered through the crowds collecting statements and it felt good to be part of the action, spurred on by the drum music that rang through the garden from a second marquee, as the night drew on.

At about 7:15 as the stars glistened above, it was well and truly time for Inkwell’s fire-work extravaganza. I spoke to someone from TCV ( The Conservation Volunteers) who had helped to make the bonfire and who was excited with the positive response to it by the audience. The input of local builders and tree surgeons in the community in providing the bonfire wood made it clear what an important event for the community this was. The Old Shoulder of Mutton Pub that used to be sited here traditionally held an annual community Bonfire Night Event and this was something Inkwell wanted to very much keep alive.

 

So what did the public think about Inkwell’s bonfire? A local parent commented on how the presence of staff made the event ‘feel really safe’. They related they’d ’seen lots of community and neighbours’ and that it was ‘nice to see loads of people who live near you’.

Children were also keen to comment; one made the point that it was as if the ‘fire was going to the moon!’. Another child eagerly told me they liked the music, and a third exclaimed that it was simply ‘fantastical’.

Someone else said it was ‘nice to have bonfire and see fireworks all around’. Their friend said they were ‘enjoying music, both inside and out’.

There really were plenty of elements at Inkwell’s Bonfire Night for various people to enjoy. So much so that I certainly wasn’t surprised when one member of staff told me the organisation was focused on making Bonfire Night a ‘real community event’. This had really come across strongly both in the audiences’ comments, and as I absorbed the event’s atmosphere.