Littlehampton Bonfire 2010. Pictures: Stephen GoodgerLittlehampton Bonfire 2010. Pictures: Stephen Goodger
Littlehampton Bonfire 2010. Pictures: Stephen Goodger

Breathtaking brilliance of Bonfire Night ten years ago

Thousands turned out in 2010 for Littlehampton Bonfire Society’s annual event, which raised £7,688 and featured a whole day of fun, topped off with the grand torchlight procession, mammoth bonfire and a fireworks spectacular. The night was given some celebrity endorsement, thanks to Sam Attwater, better known as EastEnders’ Leon, who was playing Aladdin at Worthing’s Pavilion Theatre that winter. He said he had never been to a carnival of any type before, so he did not really know what to expect. “This is great,” he told the Gazette. “I thought it would be cold but the atmosphere is so good that I’m warm.”

It was a sentiment shared by many, including members of Ryde Carnival Association, whose trip from the Isle of Wight was rewarded with first prize in the float competition. Bognor Townforce’s spectacular illuminated watering can took second prize in the floats and Jamie’s Wish was third with its Hallowe’en theme. Top spot in the walking groups went to Girlguiding Littlehampton and Arundel, with a Toy Story theme. Second were Ivan and Janice Mitchell, and Southern Starlights, a pom pom troupe from Bognor, took third place.