Information on Loughborough

Spectacular RAG Display

Posted on 04/11/2007
P. Klein

firework display at Loughborough UniversityLoughborough got in the fair mood a couple of days early last night (Saturday, 3rd November 2007) as Loughborough University RAG held their annual Bonfire and Firework display.

Typically about 10,000 people attend this event and Saturday evening, being remarkably mild, again drew large numbers of the community onto the University Campus for this annual event.

The Bonfire was promptly lit at 7pm. Claimed as being the largest bonfire in Leicestershire the neatly stacked pallets rapidly caught alight. Although from the heat of the flames and the speed it caught light there must have been something else combustible lurking in the flames.  The heat in the front row certainly got slightly uncomfortable at times. No sign of effigies of Guy Fawkes or the Pope to be seen though. (See the forums for comments on the original tradition of burning the Pope on a bonfire).

People started positioning themselves around the Rugby pitch fairly early expecting a 7:30pm commencement to the pyrotechnics. However it was not until the stroke of 8 o clock that the fun began and the sky was filled with a barrage of multi coloured burning explosives. The crowd was kept spell bound for the next 14 minutes whilst shell after shell whizzed into the sky until the final burst when a cheer went up.

However it was not just the bonfire and the display that kept spectators entertained. Apart from some fairground rides and the usual candyfloss stands, the students radio station kept the people entertained. However the student society Fever requires special mention for their fire performance " hope you didnt swallow too much paraffin lads!

If you missed the Loughborough Students Union events dont despair " the Great Central Railway (GCR) will be having theirs on Monday 5th November at Quorn & Woodhouse Station.

 As always there are further photographs of last nights events in the photograph albums.