Shropshire Star

Fireworks watched by thousands at West Mid Showground

A bumper double firework display was on offer at the Greenhous West Mid Showground on Saturday.

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The 2018 bonfire at West Mid Showground

Despite the chilly conditions on Saturday evening, scores of families and youngsters turned out to see the Shrewsbury skies turned a variety of different colours.

Gates at the Berwick Road showground opened at 4pm, with the bonfire lit at 5pm before organisers held the first of two firework displays at 6.15pm.

The 2018 bonfire at West Mid Showground

The first display was designed to be sound sensitive, with more colour and less noise for the smaller children, before the blockbuster display at 7.45pm.

The annual event, which also had a fair and live music, raises money for the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Rural Charity.

The 2018 bonfire at West Mid Showground
The 2018 bonfire at West Mid Showground
The 2018 bonfire at West Mid Showground

Showground manager Jan Forrest said: “We have had 5,000 people here before, and the event usually raises between £5,000 and £10,000 which is great.

“Last year we trialled the two firework displays, after the problems people had getting to and from the site, and it has been very well received so we have done it again.”

Around the county

Elsewhere, thousands of pounds were expected to be raised from the popular bonfire and firework display at Brogyntyn Park in Oswestry.

Locals in Withington, near Shrewsbury, turned out for a bonfire, barbecue and soup to raise money for the St John the Baptist Church in the area.

A firework display was well attended In Trefonen, near Oswestry, on Friday evening, with hundreds also turning out at the Rectory Field in Church Stretton on Saturday.

Other events were enjoyed up and down the county but there was no such fun at Blists Hill.

Organisers at the Victorian town near Ironbridge cancelled Saturday's planned fireworks event due to predicted winds being too strong for the display.

Organisers apologised and promised refunds will be given to everyone who had bought tickets.

More bonfires will take place over the coming week, including at Newport Rugby Club on Friday and Bridgnorth Rugby Club on Saturday.

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