Tues 4th Aug 09, 21.19pm
The last time Corfe Castle reverberated to the sound of explosions was in 1646, when Oliver Cromwell tried to raze it to the ground. He was only partially successful, so now it was Fantastic Fireworks’ turn ! With one major difference – under no circumstances was the national monument to be damaged or marked in any way.
The occasion was a book launch by The Friends of Bucknowle, an archaeological group which had been excavating a nearby Roman villa. Ali Robertson’s display design took full advantage of the imposing structure, with flares, strobes, barrages and aerial shells firing from every corner. Great stuff. But to achieve the required effects, the FF firing crew had to haul and manhandle heavy equipment and pyro up rocky paths to the top of the 100ft tor, and then again up to the castle battlements !
Firing against a fading sunset, the display (which was visible from as far away as Swanage and Poole) was spectacular. With smoke and light pouring from the castle and the sound of shells and mortars echoing around the walls and from nearby hills, the overall effect resembled nothing so much as a castle under siege. Happily, when the smoke cleared, the National Trust inspected the site and were delighted to report that the ancient building was not only unharmed but completely unmarked.
Beat that, Cromwell !
Our thanks to Dick Budgen for firing the show and posting this blog.
The last time Corfe Castle reverberated to the sound of explosions was in 1646, when Oliver Cromwell tried to raze it to the ground. He was only partially successful, so now it was Fantastic Fireworks’ turn ! With one major difference – under no circumstances was the national monument to be damaged or marked in any way.
The occasion was a book launch by The Friends of Bucknowle, an archaeological group which had been excavating a nearby Roman villa. Ali Robertson’s display design took full advantage of the imposing structure, with flares, strobes, barrages and aerial shells firing from every corner. Great stuff. But to achieve the required effects, the FF firing crew had to haul and manhandle heavy equipment and pyro up rocky paths to the top of the 100ft tor, and then again up to the castle battlements !
Firing against a fading sunset, the display (which was visible from as far away as Swanage and Poole) was spectacular. With smoke and light pouring from the castle and the sound of shells and mortars echoing around the walls and from nearby hills, the overall effect resembled nothing so much as a castle under siege. Happily, when the smoke cleared, the National Trust inspected the site and were delighted to report that the ancient building was not only unharmed but completely unmarked.
Beat that, Cromwell !
Our thanks to Dick Budgen for firing the show and posting this blog.
1 comment:
Not to mention Tim, Justin and Clive. We are all now fully qualified Sherpas ! Everest anyone ?
Dick B
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