A record turnout for Dunorlan Fireworks saw more than 13,000 spectators descend on the park to enjoy the display – raising over £40,000 for local charities.
The Bonfire Night celebrations, organised by the Tunbridge Wells Round Table, beat the £25,000 raised from last year’s event.
The display was introduced by the Mayor Cllr David Neve who encouraged people to ‘groan along’ to his puns.
Some 4000 rockets lit up the night’s sky – another record figure.
Round Tabler Andrew Mockford said “It’s been our biggest year yet for attendance, fundraising and the display. Everything lined up perfectly and we are in a great place for our 60th anniversary next year.”
The only damp squib was the large amount of litter left over and the subsequent failure of the Borough Council to send out their clean up squad in time. It was left to a small group of local residents to spend their Sunday morning clearing the park, until the council’s contracted cleaners arrived at 2pm.
The Round Table have pledged to provide an adequate amount of bins next year and ensure that clean-up will be completed ‘first thing Sunday morning’. They added that, this year, the park had been ‘returned to normal’ within 36 hours of the event finishing.
The money raised from ticket sales and donations will be distributed over the next year, with charities invited to make their appeal for the funds.
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