ShEEP MUSIC, THE CARNIVAL AND PRESTEIGNE & NORTON TOWN COUNCIL PRESENT -
7pm - Saturday November 4th 2017
on went's meadow, PRESTEIGNE
The start of winter is a tricky time to encourage people out of their houses to come to a dark soggy field on the edge of town.
That's why God (or more accurately the Chinese) invented fireworks.
The night began with the customary light parade through town. This always starts with Colin Kirkby firing off a rocket from the Recycling Centre to signal to the team on Went's Meadow that they are coming and Pete Smith firing one back to signal that the message has been received. They are both of an older generation and are very sceptical about the use of mobile phones as a way to communicate.
Fire Maestro John Bray led a procession of candle bearers with a big flaming stick all accompanied by the dulcet tones of Pope whacking a four foot crow bar with a hammer.
Once the parade arrived John whipped the crowd up into a frenzy with more stupefying fire wrangling and before long a group of very sweet looking children were baying for dragon blood.
The fireworks would have gone off without a hitch if it wasn't for a sudden downpour just before the lighting. The first half of the display all went as planned with plenty of classic Pete Smith false finale flourishes getting everyone in the mood. But then disaster struck, the rain soaked into the fuses and the whole thing ground to a halt.
After a bit of waiting around everyone retired to the barn and got ready for the musical portion of the night. The Poobahs were hastily dragged back from the bar and they kicked off a fantastic set of foot galumphing country and celtic folk.
It was about thirty seconds into a walloping rendition of Ring Of Fire that the fireworks team managed to get their fuse lighters working again and all hammering hell broke out on the field again.
It was a wonderful evening all round in a beautiful site with a well stocked bar of Swan Ales and mulled Skyborry Cider and delicious chilli, hotdogs, toffee apples and cakes in the food sheds.
There was a beautiful full moon too!
Thanks to everyone who helped
you know who you are but incase no-one else does here's a list -
PARADE and PERFORMANCES -
John Bray
Accompanying Music by John Hymas
Pope for lanterns and crowbar
Band -
The Poobahs – Dave, John, Clovis & Andy
PA - Pete Mustill
Fire Sculpture by The Presteigne Order of Shedwrights
Built by -
Gordon Langton
Richard, Hilary and Owen Rimington
John Thorogood
Bobby and Rune Dawson
Lewers Firth
Tom Thompson
Bill Goddard
Salt
Jack Astbury
Materials from -
Stuart Weale
Gareth and everyone at PBS
Fireworks -
Pete Smith
Colin Kirkby
Theo Powell
