Bonfire Night
On Saturday, 1st November, all the full boarders congregated outside the main building to walk along to the bonfire, created by Michael Blair over the previous fortnight. Mr Thomas was up a ladder when everyone arrived placing a large Guy Fawkes high up on the top of the bonfire. Chosen to light the fire, two 5th Year children, stepped forward and took the newspaper torch, which Mr Spencer lit. The straw that Mr Lord and his helpers had strewn around the base caught alight easily and gradually the flames spread, although the damp conditions of recent days made this a fairly slow process! "Build a bonfire!" sang the spectators, "put the teachers on the top!" etc.. The Gappies organised games in the dark, which were great fun, while Mr Beardmore-Gray and Mr Spencer went across the games field to prepare the fireworks. The fireworks collection, courtesy of Mrs Scott-Harden's husband's firework company, were enormous and amazing. They must have been visible for miles around! The finale was a huge display of colours, bangs and flashes shooting way up into the night sky. Fortunately the weather was dry and calm, so we really made ther most of the evening.
We were given delicious chocolate-apples by the Mateys and finished off the party with a good sing-song. Mr O'Sullivan gave us a rendition of the Pharaoh's Song from "Joseph" and groups challenged Mr Spencer to play all kinds of songs, including "Mamma Mia!" It was a lovely evening for everyone concerned and our thanks go to all the staff who helped to make it such fun.