5,000 Crowd At Fireworks Spectacular In Stoke Park

Published on: 5 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 7 Nov, 2019

By Hugh Coakley

Up to an estimated 5,000 people attended the annual Guildford Lions’ Fireworks Fiesta on Saturday, November 2 in Stoke Park.

Braving the cold and the mud after a rainy few days, they were rewarded with a fun fair and a spectacular 20 minutes of fireworks.

A great crowd attended the annual Guildford Lions Fireworks Fiesta 2019 in Stoke Park. Photos by Dan Hannington.

The weather forecast had held some people back as the attendance was thought to be down on last year. But it stayed dry and there was a great atmosphere in the crowd for the torch-lit procession, the fireworks and at the fun fair which had been set up just for the day.

Torch-lit procession moving up Guildford High Street led by the Nautical Training Corps from the Training Ship Implacable in Littlehampton.

The Mayor of Guildford, Richard Billington, and Matt Pinches from the Guildford Shakespeare Company addressed a crowd of several thousand in the High Street from the Guildhall balcony and then led the torch- bearing crowd to Stoke Park via London Road for the fireworks.

Guildford Lions Fireworks Fiesta 2019 in Stoke Park.

The Guildford Lions Club has donated more than £90,000 to various charities over the last two years. Beneficiaries include individuals in need, local hospitals, food banks, counselling services, disability charities, educational groups, night shelters and children who care for their parents.

The club also funds and hosts an annual Christmas party for senior citizens. This year, some of the firework display profit will specifically go to the ‘Brave New World’ project being run by the Guildford Shakespeare Company.

The annual fireworks display, always weather dependant and run on a voluntary ‘donation on entry’ basis, is an important part of the Lions’ fund raising activities. It has raised from £13,000 a year to a record breaking £25,000 in 2016.

Guildford Lions Club president Mick Ryan said: “I am immensely grateful to the loyal public of Guildford who braved the weather to turn up and enjoy another spectacular fireworks display.

“Particular thanks must go to our wonderful sponsors, RADical Systems, Chapters Financial, Eagle Radio, Big Yellow Storage and also Guildford Borough Council whose support has been invaluable.”