For those who dread the onset of Winter there's brighter news from this Sunday (Nov 23) when the big tree in Formosa will again be lit up through until the end of February. Sadly it's not quite the spectacle it's been of recent years as when the lights were switched on briefly at the end of the Bonfire Night celebrations, as has become customary, it was found that around a third of the bulbs were no longer working. Rather than attempting to fix the problem this year with its old supplier (who've proved themselves to be less than reliable) & meanwhile run the risk of nights of darkness through at least part of the Winter the Board has decided to go ahead with the partial switch-on at 6 pm this Sunday. They then plan to get the full light show back on track in time for next year!
Bonfire night celebrations on Saturday November 8th were blessed with unusually mild & trouble-free weather -- not a rain drop in sight! That was all enough to bring out the usual crowds to savour the giant bonfire & above all the stunning display mounted yet again by award-winning company Firework Crazy:
The event was kindly sponsored by estate agents Winkworth’s who this year opened their latest branch in Sutherland Avenue, bringing the total nationwide to 90. All four offices in North-West London are overseen by Managing Director Neil Sloam, who says the company really does care about the communities it serves. With that in mind they've sponsored last year's Formosa Summer Party as well as several events at St Joseph’s School & they'll soon be sponsoring the big Christmas tree at Clifton Nursery. Our thanks to them & other sponsors without whom many of these events could not succeed.
Just a reminder that the annual Bonfire Night celebrations are this coming Saturday, November 8th. For the third year running the multi-award-winning Firework Crazy will be in charge of the firework display which will start as usual at 7 pm (allowing residents to also catch the fireworks in neighbouring Crescent Garden at 7.30 pm as many like to do) but the bonfire will be lit a little earlier this year, at 5.30 pm, so it will be blazing nicely for any early arrivals. The entry point will again be the Castellain Road gate which will close 15 minutes before the show begins – late-comers will emphatically not be admitted! The spectator area will comprise the full Garden perimeter, plus the triangular corners at the Formosa Street & Sutherland Ave/Warrington Crescent ends.
A Health & Safety person will be located near the gardeners’ gate in the corner of Castellain & Warrington & will be available from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm, subject to rain which -- finger crossed! -- is currently looking unlikely. If it it does rain a different location will be confirmed closer to the date.
The usual caveats apply about keeping windows closed & nervous pets indoors. Please also ensure that children are supervised at all times & that no personal fireworks or sparklers are brought into the Garden.
The event is kindly being sponsored by Winkworth's, one of London's oldest estate agents, which first opened its doors in 1835. It now has 90 branches nationwide, including four in North-West London of which the one in Sutherland Avenue (taken over from Vickers) is the latest addition.
