A night to remember

Right across the nation, Guy Fawkes Night was severely restricted by the new lockdown. In St Albans, it meant that the normal mega-display in the city's Verulamium Park couldn't go ahead.

(Photos, Herts Advertiser)

But St Albans Cathedral, the organisers of this annual event for more decades than I can remember, were not dismayed. To replace the ticket money they normally take from the thousands who attend, they launched a crowdfund, which raised the money to fund fireworks and charity. And this is what they did.

"Instead of a ticketed event for thousands of people in Verulamium Park, we took inspiration from New York's approach to this year's 4 July celebrations and are planning an aerial display. This display will be visible from doorsteps across the city, without the need for people to leave their homes. We estimate that 55,000 people will be able to see the fireworks in St Albans, due to the positioning of the firing sites. It will also be live streamed on our YouTube channel."

And so it was that the Distill family (minus Jess, who's still in Iceland) stood out in the street at 6:00, wrapped up warm, drinks in hand, and watched the aerial firework display. And we weren't disappointed. Somehow, it felt more special to me than the mega-display in the park has ever done. And they were special! 

Afterwards, we sat around a fire in the garden and Naomi served us sausage and squash stew, washed down with wine or beer, followed by marshmallows toasted on the fire and sandwiched between chocolate biscuits. It was a great time of fun and chat and laughter, and we finally went indoors just in time to see the Ten O'Clock News and hear the good news of the US presidential election. Truly a night to remember!