Bonfire Night in Shropshire throughout the 1990s brought communities together for organised displays in towns, village playing fields and local sports clubs.
From the preparations, including stacking timber pallets tens of feet high in Donnington and putting together safety packs in Shrewsbury, to the lighting of bonfires in St Martin’s and firework displays at Whitchurch Cricket Club and Gay Meadow, the annual celebrations depended on the efforts of local clubs, volunteers and emergency services.
This gallery looks back at some of the people, events and community efforts that marked Guy Fawkes Night across Shropshire during the 1990s.
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5. Setting up the display in Bishop's Castle
Steve Green (left) and Clive Rogers get to work preparing a collection of rockets, cakes, and launch racks ahead of the town's Bonfire Night display in Bishop's Castle. Volunteers and organisers worked behind the scenes each autumn to wire up and arrange the pyrotechnics for the local community event. | Shropshire Star archive
6. Family fun at Claverley Firework Show
Enjoying sparklers and drinks as the crowds gather for the bonfire, local residents pause for a photo during the Claverley Firework Show. Pictured from left to right are Carol Roobottom, Keren, John, and Laurie Rouwenhorst, alongside James Roobottom. The village display was a regular highlight of the autumn calendar, drawing families together for Bonfire Night festivities. | Shropshire Star archive
7. Wrapped up for the Whitchurch Lions Club bonfire
Standing together on the cricket ground as the evening display gets underway, four young spectators pause for a photo during the annual Whitchurch and District Lions Club celebrations. Pictured from left to right in their winter coats and caps are Matthew Arthan, Jessica Arthan, and Ashley Whittal, joined at the front by Ottilie Fairhorsh. The community bonfire and firework display at Whitchurch Cricket Club was a staple fixture on the autumn calendar throughout the decade, attracting families from across the district. | Shropshire Star archive
8. Lighting the bonfire at St Martin's
Holding a long pole with a flaming rag, Jimmy Perchard applies the torch to ignite the base of a timber pallet stack at St Martin's in November 1998. Crowds gathered in the background on the edge of the field watch as flames quickly take hold of the wooden structure to kick off the evening's Bonfire Night event. Annual village displays across the district relied on dedicated local organizers to prepare, build, and safely light the community bonfires each year. | Shropshire Star archive