BONFIRE night was a big hit in Barnard Castle with thousands attending the fund raising event, but there’s still room for more spectators next year, say organisers.
Pre-event ticket sales were up on last year, according to Roger Peat, from Barney's Christmas Lights Group, which organises the annual firework spectacular on the upper Demesnes.
He said: “We had about 2,700 people there on the night, but there is still potential to expand on that.
“It was the biggest bonfire we have built to date with two low loader trucks of pallets and wood collected through the year.”
Live interactive theatre, courtesy of The Castle Players’ actor Ben Pearson, as the infamous Guy Fawkes, proved a hit with spectators.
“It was a great addition to the night,” Mr Peat added.
“Ben was busy at the side of the road with people saying he needed a lift to London to be there for November 5.”
Another new addition to the explosive evening was a light tunnel display on Parson’s Lonnen, which added to the atmosphere.
He said: “We were very lucky with the weather but we still had to pull the fireworks van on to the site as it got stuck. The crowd stomped down the ground nicely so we didn't have to pull them back out at the end.
“We were able to make a good profit and that will go towards safeguarding the Christmas lights.”
This year, the volunteer group has spent more than £10,000 on new installations in town including new replacement floodlights for the Market Cross.
“We are also trialling some blue globes to add a bit of colour to the town centre. We have bought ten of them and if people like them we can invest in more next year.
“Fifteen lampposts in the middle of town have been wrapped with lights that we can change the colour scheme of remotely and there will be a company in Keighley that will be changing the colour remotely.”
The volunteer group is working hard to ensure everything is in place for Barney’s annual switch on event on Friday, December 1, at 6pm, when there will be a lantern parade from The Witham to the Scar Top.
