Wistaston Fireworks Display

Reporter Jonathan White, Wistaston

The 39th annual Wistaston Fireworks Display took place on Saturday 5th November 2016.

The event took place at the Eric Swan Sports Ground off Church Lane in Wistaston.

It began with a procession - led by bagpiper Reg Flower - from the Park Drive/Westfield Drive junction to the Eric Swan Sports Ground off Church Lane (behind Church Lane School, Wistaston). The judging of the children’s best pumpkin and best fancy dress competitions then took place and were followed by the fireworks display.

The results of the children's best pumpkin competition, judged by Wistonian of the Year, Roger Woodward and assisted by Gwyneth Brown, were:

1st prize - Bella Ullmer, aged 4, with 'Fred'.

2nd prize – Millie.

3rd prize – Mia.

The results of the children's best fancy dress competition, judged by Wistonian of the Year, Roger Woodward, and assisted by Gwyneth Brown, were:

1st prize – Harry Baxter, aged 2, who was dressed as a firework with numerous lights.

2nd prize – Annabel as Pudsey Bear.

3rd prize – Poppy as a vampire.

Costumes also included several fairies and witches, a crocodile, a ghost, and a ghoul.

Locally-based online community radio station RedShift Radio - http://www.redshiftradio.co.uk/ - for the seventh year running generously provided, setup and staffed the PA system before the fireworks and played music during the display. RedShift Radio presenters Kelly-Ann Davies and Liz Southall got the crowd warmed up before the display.

Professional fireworks display specialist Gekostar Fireworks - http://www.gekostarfireworks.co.uk/ - setup the fireworks display.

Children’s best fancy dress competition winner Harry Baxter was given the honour of officially starting the fireworks. The fireworks used during a magnificent 11 minute display took 12 hours to setup and included shells, cakes, mines and Roman candles.

The 35th South West Cheshire, Wistaston Scout Group - http://www.wistastonscoutgroup.org.uk - served hot and cold drinks and food during the event and ‘Glow’s North West’ sold children's flashing novelties.

The event was organised by the Wistaston Community Council and funded by the Wistaston Community Council and the Wistaston Parish Council.

Entry was by donation and several hundred people attended the event.

Dane Chaplow, Chairman from the Wistaston Community Council, said, "The children's pumpkin and fancy dress competitions were well supported. We had a great turnout at the Eric Swan Sports Ground with superb fireworks from Gekostar and excellent music, as always, from RedShift Radio. We thank our supporters and volunteers for their help and the public for attending this annual event".

The Wistaston Community Council desperately requires new members to help organise next year’s Fireworks Display, as well as other Wistaston-based events such as the Summer Fete, Flower and Produce Show and the Christmas concerts. Please visit http://www.wistastoncommunity.co.uk for further information if you would like to join.