onionbagblog

Woh - and so *that* was the Wivenhoe Ocean Racing Club annual fireworks display down by the Quay for another year.

Follow that…

The reputation that this occasion is now attracting is leading it to become something of THE social event in the Wivenhoe calendar. Walking past the train station shortly after 7pm on Saturday evening, and folk were even commuting in on the Clacton train to catch the spectacular display.

@AnnaJCowen and I, and guests… slowly made our way to the masses by the Rose and Crown, taking in West Quay and the surrounds. Much like the Regatta, the WORC fireworks have had the effect of opening up the community along the Quay. Every other house appeared to be having an al fresco party ahead of the fireworks.

With exceptionally high water earlier in the afternoon, preparations and planning over on the Rowhedge side were running slightly late. No worries - the suspense and excitement of the Halloween fancy dress competition kept the 2,000 plus crowd content.

And the winner in the Over Six category… um, @AnnaJCowen?

Whoops.

Seems like the girl was simply in her usual Saturday night gear.

The serious side of the fireworks is of course the fundraising undertaken by WORC on behalf of the Wivenhoe Royal British Legion. The display was also made possible with the incredibly generous financial support of many, many local businesses.

These were read out over the PA system - apologies, but there was simply too many for me to formally make a note of. Mighty fine work for all of those involved - from memory, Alfie the Barber, Mr Rollo and Papa’s Chip Shop all contributed.

I showed my appreciation later on in the evening with a double serving of jumbo saveloy.

The bucket shakers worked the crowd - and quite right, too. The wristband system seemed to work well, indicating that you had already shown your support for the event by contributing ahead of the evening.

This was an all round lovely, glowing Wivenhoe moment - any fireworks display that builds up to the big bang with PA music from Cream, Hawkwind and the Super Furries is fine by me.

We couldn’t get anywhere close to the Rose and Crown. My order of half a pint of lager shandy might have seemed trivial, given the queue for the quaffers by the bar. No worries - fifteen minutes holding up a flip cam in the direction of the muddy banks of Rowhedge requires a steady hand and a firm mind.

Ah yes - about those fireworks…

WOW.

Most definitely worth the extra half hour wait. Time ‘n tide, and all that - just see for yourself.

The best view on the night wasn’t from the balcony of The Nottage, but back down Quayside and all aboard Mr Boat for his Potplants. It seemed to make all that effort in maintaining the good ship Potplant all year round worthwhile.

And then shortly before 9pm, and it was all over. Work was a calling for me (seriously) and so I legged it back to base and up the High Street. Wivenhoe was buzzing; the British Legion has hopefully benefitted considerably.

A huge, huge thanks to all the volunteers at WORC who continue to make this one of the highlights in the Wivenhoe calendar. In these austere days when local authorities are cutting the luxury of a mass public fireworks display, the work of WORC is genuinely appreciated by so many.

But how to top that?

Find out next year. See you Quayside on October 27th, Comrades.