A big crowd defied the drizzle to take part in Farnham’s traditional torchlit procession and fireworks display on Bonfire Night last Saturday.

The event was again organised by Farnham Round Table supported by an army of volunteers, and is expected to have raised more than £40,000 for local good causes.

Any fears the wet weather on Saturday may have kept people away were quickly dispelled as a large crowd turned up in Waggon Yard car park for the procession.

Torches were lit and the Reading Pipers Band led the twinkling parade through the town centre and up Castle Street to Farnham Park.

There, Round Table chairman Richard Foster had a tough job judging the Guy competition – but after some deliberation crowned Tootsie’s Nursery’s brilliant straw Gruffalo the winner.

It was then down to the town mayor, Alan Earwaker, to light the bonfire – stuffed with surplus copies of the Farnham Herald and constructed to an architect’s design using pallets donated by many local businesses.

Also entertaining the crowds were fire performers, ska band Jungle Brew, Frimley Hospital Radio and Taiko drummers, with a food village and sales of flashing novelties adding to the fun before the star attraction of the evening, the fireworks.

The colourful display began fizzing and popping at 7.45pm, creating many ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ before reaching a spectacular crescendo 15 minutes later.

The band played on and the food village remained open until 9pm – with many dancing the night away in the mud until the very last chord.

Farnham Fireworks and Torchlit Procession is only made possible each year thanks to the efforts of the Farnham Round Table volunteers.

Any men aged 18 to 45 interested in finding out what the sociable club is all about, are very welcome to come along to a meeting (all of which are held in local pubs over a few beers!).

The Round Table will be back in action this Christmas, delivering trees and helping Santa on his rounds across the Farnham area – all to raise funds for the many local good causes it supports each year.

To find out more or get in touch, visit the club website https://farnhamroundtable.org.uk/

Photos by Ukrainian photojournalist Natalia Sharomova