‘Best fireworks ever’: Marsworth celebrates Bonfire Night in style
What a night, Marsworth! The bonfire and fireworks were fantastic, with a full 40-minute display, including the finale, that spectacularly lit the skies over the recreation ground.
The huge bonfire made for a warming and atmospheric sight. And the field was filled with a thousand-plus happy people from around the area, with an estimated 220 cars in the orchard car park at the Startops end of Watery Lane, and many families walking from the village and Pitstone.
Rural Roasts served a hog roast and loaded fries with a variety of toppings, the Church offered hot soup and rolls, and Isla provided mulled wine that filled the air with seasonal aromas, with all the stalls selling out.
The settled, still weather was ideal for a display, created by the village’s firework maestro, Paul Rance.
He put it together with supplies from Neil at The Firework Shop in Aylesbury and added an epic soundtrack, ranging from The Who, Steps and Motorhead to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
Meanwhile a band of volunteers recruited by the Village Hall Committee worked on the gate and stewarded the parking and event fields, while Paul had a hand-picked team working with him in the firework area.
Paul said: “I’m more than happy with the display, which went almost entirely to plan. For me, it was great to see the village come together and everyone enjoying themselves. And we couldn’t have had better weather on the night. It was a lot of effort, of course, and it was nice at the end to close the gate and know it had all gone well, with just the Sunday clear up by volunteers left to do.”
The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Marsworth Village Hall.
One visitor posted: “Absolutely brilliant – first time we’ve been down and had the best time. Very well organised and very friendly – thank you.” Another simply posted: “Best fireworks ever!”
Pete Oxley, co-manager of the Red Lion Marsworth, was invited to light the bonfire. The pub is now almost back to normal with the dining area and snug open again (but not the kitchen quite yet) following a May 2025 blaze which started in a roof space. A new sign on the grass opposite is being created and should be installed soon.
Parish meeting tonight (Monday) to discuss Marsworth Airfield appeal
With major development plans at the former Marsworth Airfield going to appeal at the Planning Inspectorate, village residents are being encouraged to attend a parish meeting at 8pm tonight, 9 November to discuss how best to respond.
Developers are seeking to overturn the refusal of proposals for up to 320 homes, together with a primary school, community facilities, open space and a rural enterprise hub. There are major concerns locally about the effect on road safety and on services.
The Parish Council website marsworth-pc.gov.uk has maps of the proposals in the planning section. Residents are urged to look at what is proposed, including the proposed traffic lights and surround at the Red Lion bridge and Vicarage Road, and the road layout along Lukes Lane.
Cheddington: Cheddington Action Group (CAG) has written to all Bucks Cabinet members who are voting tomorrow (Tuesday) on whether to progress the Local Plan, urging them not to vote the Plan forward. There are plans in it that could make Cheddington an 8,000-home village.
Tring: Meanwhile the Land East of Tring (Marshcroft) planning appeal inquiry starts at 10am tomorrow (Tuesday) at The Forum, Hemel Hempstead. Local people are asked to attend to show the continued strength of feeling about the 1400-home development proposal. Details about the inquiry are on the dacorum.gov.uk website.
Floating market: There will be a Christmas floating market at Marsworth reservoirs, HP23 4LJ, on December 6 and 6, from 10am to 5pm,
Water’s Edge Meet the Reindeers: The Marsworth café’s magical, sell-out reindeer event returns on Saturday, December 19, from 3pm. Tickets are now live at wemarsworth.co.uk, with 30-minute group slots to meet the reindeer. There will be mini stalls, arts and crafts and an outdoor snow machine, weather permitting, plus complimentary activity packs, mulled wine and more.
Christmas Tree Festival: Marsworth Christmas Tree Festival is back! This year the theme wila Roving Canal Traders Association event.l be Christmas Carols. Contact Ruth Monks if you would like to decorate a tree. There will also be a jigsaw stall, preserves stall, raffle and refreshments, with donations welcome. It will be on Saturday, November 28, from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, November 29, from 11.30am to 4pm.
Drone Show: Grove Road Primary School in Tring presents a Christmas Drone Show on Friday, December 4, from 5.30pm with the show at 7.30pm. From £9pp.