Page 1 - HGS Suburb News 141 - Winter 2020

www.hgs.org.uk Issue 141 · Winter 2020

Young Suburbite RA Chair, Jean Neal is
stays up to enjoy Emma Howard’s honoured to
the NYE party email bag, p8 reveal all, p5

Should the Suburb

stop the Fireworks? MICHAEL ELEFTHERIADES

Like many inventions, fireworks there was a firework display stewards on hand, ensuring it
were created by accident... and by because of a ‘letter’ written by was both dazzling and safe.
the search for immortality. Around merchant Robert Laneham. His Yet, for all their beauty, we
800 AD, a Chinese alchemist eyewitness account, frustratingly, ought to be mindful that there
mixed sulphur, charcoal, and doesn’t go into any detail about can be serious problems with
potassium nitrate hoping to find the fireworks, but, he does write fireworks. An obvious one is the
the secret to eternal life. Instead, that the “blaze of burning darts, noise which can terrify animals
the mixture caught fire and gun- flying to & fro, streams and hail and young children. Fireworks
powder was born. Legend has it of fiery sparks, lightnings of are also known to be a main
that a little later, a Chinese monk, wildfire on water and land, flight contributor of accidents during
stuffed bamboo with the saltpeter- & shoots of thunderbolts: all with parties and celebrations. Then,
based gunpowder and launched such …terror and vehemence, of course, there is also the
it into a fire causing a modest that the heavens thundered, the environmental impact.
explosion and an impressive bang, waters scourged, the earth shook.” This year, China’s largest city,
along with a bright spray of He was certainly impressed. Lucy Shanghai, replaced traditional
sparkling white lights. Fireworks Worsley attempted to recreate fireworks with nearly 2,000 Taken earlier this year, this photograph demonstrates that Sunshine Corner, the gateway to the Suburb in The Great Wall on the
were born. The Chinese used them the event in a BBC programme drones which produced a Heath extension, has seen a great improvement since it was taken in hand by the HGS Trust. The work was done in association
with Stephen Crisp of SPC Design.
to accompany many festivities called: “Fireworks for a Tudor stunning synchronised display.
as it was believed fireworks Queen” https://www.bbc.co.uk/ Fitted with multi-coloured
could expel evil spirits and programmes/b09cfwt4 lights, the drones flew high
bring about luck and happiness. Fireworks are still very much above the city creating shapes,
Fireworks were first introduced part of our lives today. It is text and even the figure of a New Year celebrations
in England at the wedding of difficult to imagine November man running across the sky.
Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. 5th without them and the New The effect was utterly amazing. On December 31 the HGSRA held position for the climax of the night, both inside St Jude’s and
Their son, Henry VIII, continued Year’s Eve fireworks seem to get Such displays have led to the its final event of the year, the night. Luckily for once, the outside, as stewards and bucket
the royal tradition of celebrating bigger every year. This year In prediction that China will New Year’s Eve Fireworks Party, wind and rain held off. collectors and especially to
with fireworks. Elizabeth I was London, some 12,000 fireworks herald the end of fireworks, just in St Jude’s. As clocks struck midnight and Father Alan Walker, vicar of the
absolutely fascinated by them, lit up the capital’s skyline. And, as it heralded their beginning. As for many years, people the church bell rang, Platinum church, without whom all this
and this prompted Robert Dudley, once again, at St Jude’s, here in This then begs the question, quickly filled the church, enjoying Fireworks launched their special, would not have been possible.
first Earl of Leicester, to organise the Suburb, a spectacular display particularly in this age of climate drinks and snacks made and spectacular display, illuminating Finally, and most importantly,
an extravagant event, costing was arranged by the Residents change awareness, should the provided by local helpers who the night sky with multiple thanks to our generous sponsor,
the equivalent of £24 million in Association. The display was fully Suburb continue with its annual also served them. At 11.45pm special effects. The Spaniards Inn, for their
today’s money, at Kenilworth managed by a professional firm, firework display using traditional everyone moved into Central Many thanks go to all the contribution for this event.
Castle in a bid to win Elizabeth’s risk assessments were carried fireworks? A spokesperson for Square to find a good viewing dedicated volunteers on the TONY BRAND
hand in marriage. We know out and there were plenty of the Residents Association said
“Moving to a Shanghai laser
style display is not yet a viable
option for the Suburb, but we
are looking into a low noise CESAR RODRIGUEZ-DURAN CESAR RODRIGUEZ-DURAN
option for this year’s New Year’s
Eve celebrations. This is a very
popular event with people giving
great feedback but we realise it
is not everyone’s cup of tea”
What do our readers think?
Please email your thoughts to
us at suburbnews@hgsra.uk
A stunning Chinese New Year Light Drone display. THE EDITORS

(Above) Hardworking stewards take a break for a photo op. The Reverend Alan Walker counts down
WE ALWAYS DELIVER ON
(Below) New Year revellers gather in St Jude’s before the firework display.
to midnight.
OUR PROMISES CESAR RODRIGUEZ-DURAN

For more than 40 years now, we have been serving the residents
of the Suburb and we have enjoyed every moment.

Whether your property is a cottage or a castle, destined for sale or
for rent, we can surely handle it.

We have the most comprehensive selection of properties under
one roof. From our Global connections, we find the best buyers/
tenants from all over the world – not just from the immediate
area. The 108th RA AGM

As the longest serving agents in the area, we believe in good old- will take place on Monday 30 March 2020
fashioned service - no fuss, no obligation, please give us a call. at 8pm in the Henrietta Barnett School Hall,
Central Square.
Nominations for posts of officers and members of the Council
CELEBRATING
OVER
must be received by 16 March 2020. The nomination should be submitted in writing,
signed by the nominee, a proposer and a seconder and sent to:
Christina Brownson, RA Administrator, PO Box 67700, London NW11 1NS
YEARS TRADING
(The AGM agenda will be available on the
RA website - www.hgsra.uk/about/agm - by 23 March 2020)