It’s that time of year again! The days are getting colder and everyone is finishing their five o’clock lectures in the dark. As we’ve been steadily getting into winter hundreds of students were looking forward to the annual bonfire night event at Ottery St. Mary that took place on Wednesday.
Everyone arrived just outside the town at around seven pm and shivering, we all paraded down the country lanes and into the centre. Thousands of people were gathered outside the Kings Arms pub and I made it my mission to drag my friends to the front; where a flaming barrel was being run up and down the road, inches from members of the public. Everyone was screaming and laughing and fighting to get their smartphone camera as close to the flames as possible. There was such a lovely atmosphere, everyone crowded in together but I’m glad I battled my way forward because I imagine if you were at the back of all those people, you wouldn’t have been able to see anything and it must have felt pretty pointless.
After about half an hour, the barrels started to lose their appeal and we went to sample all the fast food we could get our hands on from the many stalls on offer (insider tip: if you’re going next year branch out and try the jerk chicken!) and wandered down to the funfair and the bonfire. I loved the bonfire; it was so good to get close to the roaring flames and to get some relief from the cold! The fair itself was exactly what you’d expect; a lot of noise and flashing lights and small children running around but I had a lot of fun. I could see a lot of students taking advantage of a night away from campus to relax and try out the waltzers!
Overall I really enjoyed my bonfire night at Ottery St. Mary, the communal atmosphere of so many people, crowded together and having a good time is always infectious. I would definitely recommend this as a fun and alternative night out for anybody considering going next year but please, please, please wrap up warmer than I did or you’ll be spending a long time huddled round the bonfire trying to get the feeling in your fingers back!