This year Theydon Bois celebrated the 5th November in traditional style at the annual fireworks event hosted by Theydon Bois Primary School. The event organised by the school PTA was heaving with eager villagers when the gates opened at 6:30; a queue extending some way down Orchard Drive. But what is it that makes this occasion so universally popular? The evening consisted of much more than a fantastic fireworks display; there were many attractions on offer including a classic toffee apple and sweets stall, a very popular barbeque and glow sticks on sale that delighted many of the children.
 

 

Although hosted by a Primary School, a striking feature of the event was the variety of people the evening attracted. Students of the Primary School came with their parents, but it was also a social occasion for local teenagers (although the school has a strict rule that teenagers cannot enter without an adult as it is a family event) – many that are ex-pupils of the school. Rhianne Hicks, 17, left Theydon Bois Primary School in 2007 and said ‘I come to Theydon Fireworks Night every year, it’s a good way to catch up with my old school friends and it’s just become a lovely Theydon tradition for us.’
 

 

However, the function still maintained a family feel. As the crowds entered they could see children’s ‘Guys’ lined up on display at the school. These were products of the annual Primary School competition where children from the school can make a model ‘Guy Fawkes’ that is then judged. This year there was a particularly large number of innovative entries to be shown off to parents.
Neither were the fireworks themselves to be brushed over. The spectators gathered on the school field at 7:15 to see at least their money’s worth of spectacular fireworks. Pupil at Theydon Bois Primary School, Amy Irwin, Year 2 said ‘I liked the gold fireworks, they were really pretty’ and Lauren Simmons (also a pupil at the school) added ‘They were really loud and colourful!’ It was a longer display than in previous years and the exceptional range of glittering fireworks set off by volunteers for the school provided a perfect end to the 5th November celebrations for Theydon Bois.
 

 

The event raised an impressive £2,900 which the PTA will use to support the school. The money raised is very important to the Primary School and in previous years they have used the money to run their popular swimming pool and to fund equipment for the children such as a basketball area and activity boat. On another front, the money is also used to stock the school library that is accessed weekly by the children.
 

 

The evening benefitted both the school and the many people in attendance on 5th November. Theydon Bois Fireworks Night has become a much-loved tradition for Theydon Bois and this year left nothing to be desired; proving an ideal way to spend the 5th November.