OCKLEY BONFIRE(S) 5th November 2005

The call came at 05.07. Ouch. The phone sounds so loud at that time in the morning. There could only be one reason – and sure enough the message was…someone’s lit the bonfire. Great. So, a jolting start to a long day and bye bye to any more sleep for quite a few people.

The preparations had been particularly good this year. Great ideas for our set pieces, brilliantly designed and painstakingly built during October and finished earlier than ever. Operational and safety plans discussed in detail with roles and tasks agreed. Bonfire build finished and safety fences in position the weekend before. All was looking good for a busy but relaxed day of community team effort and companionship. Even the weather was on our side, against predictions. The bonfire was the best looking ever and our smoothest build. The gathering of material and placing it took just two weekends before the day (not several months as reported in the Dorking Advertiser – ho hum – the mantra of ‘never let the facts spoil a good story’ seems alive and well!)…leaving us a clear weekend to focus on other practical jobs. As they say in football- the team done good.

Back to the morning, when the team gathered at 8 to put up the marquee and set up the field. Apart from some wistful gazing at the embers and some furrowed brows there was a very positive and focused mood. We knew we would have a bonfire – but not quite sure as to the how. Normally the marquee build is a bit of a mission as creaky muscles and joints get loosened and the process has to be remembered, finishing with an on site breakfast at 9. This year the marquee shot up smoothly in 35 minutes – almost as an afterthought – there were other things in the forefront of the team’s minds.

Suddenly, phones rang with offers of support and help. A few calls were made to likely sources of material. Like a stone in a still pond, the ripples spread to all areas. And then the stuff flowed in – tractors and trailers – pick ups - four wheel drives with trailers … and people. Not everybody who came was known to all – just willing hands who were determined that all the preparations for a community project would not be in vain.

By one o’clock there was a new bonfire. It happened because some young people took ownership of the build and so many others brought material which let the Ock Soc team get on with their preparations elsewhere.

Several people gave up a day’s work and wages to help. Others put their personal plans to one side. The words that leapt to our minds were ‘humbling’ and ‘exhilarating’ … amongst many others! Some passer by said earlier in the day that it was a ‘disaster’. No. It wasn’t. It was an unwelcome irritation. The Pakistan earthquake was a disaster. We would have preferred it didn’t happen – as there is some misguided and misaligned individual(s) out there on the fringes who probably need help. They will not be proud of their actions as they realise what strength of character and community spirit they unleashed. It wasn’t a good thing. But it brought so much good in its wake.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who rallied round and would not be defeated. We have mentioned no names here – it would be impossible. But you know who you are and you can smile to yourselves.

We won thanks to you.
From the committee of the Ockley Society
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