Every year, Luckley House School, an independent school in Wokingham, Berkshire hosts a Bonfire and Firework Night for its school community, which is organised and funded by Luckley House Friends (the school’s PTA). Around 500 people enjoy the evening with a spectacular firework display, delicious hot dogs and a host of different stalls, which are run by the pupils as part of an ‘Apprentice-style’ House competition.
However, over recent years the highlight of the evening, and the topic for discussion for the weeks leading up to the night, has been the bonfire!
Each year Steve Holland, the school’s Groundsman, spends weeks planning and building a spectacular bonfire. Previous years have seen the ‘Houses of Parliament’, ‘Big Ben’ and ‘Westminster Palace’.
This year Mr Holland has really excelled himself with a truly magnificent creation. He took his inspiration from his great niece Macy and has spent every spare moment of his free time over the last few weeks building ‘Pudding Lane’ – the starting point of the ‘Great Fire of London’. He has painstakingly constructed and painted the model, even including the rats scurrying along the pavement. Each shop or business is named after a member of staff at the school, as well as one (Macy’s Bakers) dedicated to Macy. There is even a Public House named after Luckley House School’s Head, Jane Tudor, with a sign, ‘Tudor’s Tavern’ hanging above its door!
Head, Jane Tudor said
“Mr Holland’s hard work and creativity is very much appreciated by the whole school. We all look forward to seeing his fabulous creations and are always slightly saddened to see all his hard work go up in flames.”