After a 3-year absence from the community calendar, 2022’s Fireworks Extravaganza has seen record ticket sales with the highest ever grants donated to each of the three village schools. Several smaller sums were gifted to local organisations whose help on the night aided the safe and smooth running of the event.
Speaking to HI HUB, event Chair Dan Mace said: “We were delighted to see so many people come along to enjoy this event and the huge number of tickets sold has resulted in us being able to make significant donations to the local school PTAs, as well as other organisations who help make the event a success. We counted 3800 people through the gates and would like to thank every single one of you for your support”.
This year the event surplus was £9,585 and the committee agreed to make donations totaling £9,309. Approximately 80% of the money went to parent-led organisations at our schools:
- £2,500 to Park Primary School PTFA
- £2,500 to Brook Primary School PTA
- £2,500 to Impington Village College Parents, Staff and Friends Association
Donations were also made to:
- £520 to 1st Histon Scouts who managed and ran the novelty and sweet sales on the night.
- £520 to Panther Explorers who marshalled the car park.
- £509 to IVC 6th Form for the purchase of a new Barista style coffee machine. The 6th form volunteers did an excellent job marshalling during the event and then stayed on to clear up afterwards in very wet conditions.
- £130 to Choir 2000 for use of their stage.
- £130 to Histon & Impington Litter Pickers for the loan of litter picking equipment for the Sunday clear-up.
The fireworks team also paid tribute to their sponsors, supporters and suppliers.
These included Redmayne, Arnold and Harris, Brookfield Groundcare, the Red Lion Histon, Edd Stonham and Avanit Systems Ltd for arranging this year’s first e-ticketing, Pure Professional Recruitment, Estelle’s Beauty, Sam Nightingale Travel Counsellor, Cambridge Stove Installations and Precedence Technologies for their domain and web hosting services.
Scoff ‘n’ Nosh, Sam’s Thai and Verrecchia ice cream and crepes fed the crowds and the dedicated couple who have brought their fair ride along over many previous years returned once more for 2022. Essex Pyrotechnics – without whom there would have been no display at all – provided the fireworks for the display along with the all important mandatory firer training.
The 2023 event will take place on Saturday 4th November. Look out for further information in the autumn.
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