NEW YEARS EVE 2020

As I sit here before my PC in my study in the dark before the dawn , and having listened to the early broadcast of

Dr Mark Carney, giving the 4th of his 4th Reith Lecture on BBC 4 , I take my "pen" to write this, my article on the year to end in a day or so.

His words on Climate Control are so worth much thought and indeed much action. Our children and their children will face such dangers forward if man continues on the present course of seeking extra profit from an earth that is under much threat. Such statements as the rate of rise of the seas if allowed to continue as of now will climb to 8 metres !, which will wipe out many major cities and millions of humans. Hopefully more and more nations are waking up to the dangers we are causing. Perhaps we can arrest the drive for deforestation to grow soya to feed more and more cattle. To stop raping the seas of all life therein .

I am nearing the end of my life , so I will not see this .But my children, grandchildren and great grand children are my deep concern.

But. To our Community. Our Village and surrounding area.

As we near the end of this black year under the Pandemic – Covid 19 – I embarked on an appeal that we should mark both its passing and the birth of 2021 with our Firework Display at the hour on midnight on the 31st .

To say goodbye to 2020 and all that is has done to our lives and the welcome in 2021 with the promise of inoculation and a beating of this vile virus . I am pleased to say I received much support .

Many gainsayers and wet blankets -hiding under the cloak of anonymity of the old Chat Box, gave vent to their criticism. One even suggested I pay for it all myself. Not having the guts to use his or her name. But that is all behind us now.

The display will last just over 2 minutes as the clock strikes the midnight hour . Not like Bonfire night with bangs going off at all sorts of times, so those with pets need only to comfort them for those 2 minutes .

A traditional welcome to the New Year, Sadly the Bells are not allowed to peel out – why on earth that is the case beats me.

The best place to view the night sky in the Square is by the butter market side – or by the Bike and Dry cleaning shops.

I hope to see some of you and to call out the greeting, duly distanced .

I think that this will be my last time of organising the display after some 20 years – we began with welcoming the New Millennium on December 1999.

Happy new year to all.

Ralph Warburton

editors note:- I am sure I write for by far the vast majority of local people in thanking Ralph for his many years of organising the fireworks as well as many other things in and around Audlem