Big bangs, hot potatoes and fun!

On Saturday the Together Trust welcomed back its bonfire night to Schools Hill, where it had been missing for the last two years. The night was a great success; a huge bonfire, fairground rides and doughnuts galore, finished off with a pretty spectacular fireworks display. By the end of the night we came away feeling a little bit like we’d been to Glastonbury, due to the mud-soaked clothing and masses of people swarming round a field, but a good time was had by all. Thanks to all of you who turned up and supported us!

 

Returning to the office this morning slightly cleaner, (although still wishing for a blanket!) it got me to thinking about our bonfires of old. The Together Trust has had a bonfire on site for many years, starting just after the charity moved to Cheadle in 1920. 

Dragging Guy Fawkes at Belmont, 1945

In the early days it was one of the only times that boys and girls mixed on the Belmont Estate. Together they would sit by the bonfire eating hot potatoes and sticky toffee apples. It was one of the highlights of the year for many of the children living there. As one lady who lived on the estate between 1937 to 1944 said; “We had one big bonfire. And it was brilliant we used to do the potatoes and everything like that. Throw everything in the fire. Everything was safe to do. We all used to sit round giggling and it didn’t matter if it was raining or what. We just used to put our coats on and sit out.”

2001 bonfire programme

In 1983 the charity, then called the Boys and Girls Welfare Society (BGWS), hosted its first bonfire and firework display in conjunction with Cheadle and Gatley Round Table. This public display raised much needed money for BGWS and other local charities in the area.

It’s all been a cracking success!