Firestarter

It is the annual duty of the Chairman of Harlow Council to light the bonfire in the Town Park at quarter past seven, as part of the 5 November celebrations. After a short walk from the control tent, I'm provided with some stout gloves for the purpose, and handed a flaming brand to do the deed. There's a hollowed out space in the pile of pallets with some diesel-soaked rags, and once the flame touches these they start burning very quickly.

The wind has changed, and is blowing from the north-west - the flames are blowing towards the top of the showground, with embers showering down, so spectators quickly move away from that section of the barrier round the bonfire. In the old days, I'm told, the bonfire would burn for a couple of days, but now it's constructed differently and burns out more quickly - and safely.

The fireworks display at quarter to eight is spectacular, with bangs and flashes and colours and sparkles, and my daughter Georgina and I enjoy it immensely. At one point, a firework erupts into a white heart shape in ithe sky, and I'm entertained by the sound of fifteen thousand people simultaneously saying "Aaah".

After the event, staff working on the event, along with members of the Rotary Club who have very kindly given their evening to shake collecting buckets for my Chairman's Charity, are offered hot refreshments nearby; organiser Gill is the last to arrive at just before ten o'clock. I greet and thank everyone who has taken part in making the evening such an excellent occasion for everyone.