Firework displays raised money for charity

THE SKIES burst into a riot of colour to celebrate Bonfire Night last Friday as this spectacular photograph shows.

Former Barking and Dagenham Post Editor, Barry Kirk, took the 45-minute exposure shot of the skies in Collier Row with Canary Wharf in the background, on Saturday.

He said: “Cameras today allow us to take photography to extremes. Conditions were absolutely fantastic.”

At Romford and Gidea Park Rugby Club in Crow Lane, Romford, around 3,000 people were wowed by a professional 20-minute display while raising money to send seven-year-old rugby player Alex Field, of Victory Way, Collier Row, to America for groundbreaking brain tumour treatment.

President Dai Davies said: “It was a very successful evening and the rain held off until most people were on their way home. We’re planning to make it bigger and better next year.”

Treasurer Bill Dowton said over �2,000 was raised for charity and the club will donate �1,000 to Alex, �500 to Help for Heroes and the rest to local charities.

The 3rd Rainham Scout Group took the traditional route on Bonfire Night, which is of course also known as Guy Fawkes’ night. Beavers, cubs and scouts showed-off their creativity by creating effigies of the Catholic who plotted to blow up Parliament in 1605 and burning them at its Cherrywood campsite in Purfleet, Essex, keeping 150 revellers warm.

A “breathtaking display” followed. A spokesman said: “Throughout the night there was a wonderful community spirit as families from all over the district came to enjoy a wonderful event and meet friends.”

The scouts also raised money for Remembrance Day.