Thousands enjoy '˜amazing' HMS Sultan fireworks display timed to music

DAZZLING colour lit up the night sky as an annual fireworks spectacular made a triumphant return.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Oct 2018, 11:32 BST
Updated 26th Oct 2018, 12:40 BST
The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)
The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)

Thousands united to enjoy the 20-minute feat at HMS Sultan last night as the Gosport military base was transformed for another year. 

The main event came at 8.15pm after scores of families joined together in watching the fixture's famous bonfire burn, complimented by jovial commentary from Hampshire radio station The Breeze.

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When fireworks did fly they had crowds captivated '“ booming in time to music from silver screen sensations Thunderbirds and Star Wars, among others.

The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)
The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)

Husband and wife Gillian and Lloyd Robinson from Lee-on-the-Solent have attended the show for at least four years and said after last night '˜it keeps getting better and better'. 

'˜We've got our two boys with us and it's Logan's first fireworks display, he's 18-months-old,' said Mrs Robinson, 26. 

'˜It was amazing and a family ticket was only about £15, so reasonable too.' 

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The pair's eldest son, Louis, said the display's '˜red' fireworks were the highlight of the night '“ alongside hearing his favourite song This Is Me, from The Greatest Showman. 

The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Deborah Rowles and her son Chris Rowles and his daughter Evie (six) from Fareham. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Deborah Rowles and her son Chris Rowles and his daughter Evie (six) from Fareham. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)
The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display. Deborah Rowles and her son Chris Rowles and his daughter Evie (six) from Fareham. Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)

Six-year-old Amelia McKay, who attended with her parents Graham and Caroline, and her two-year-old brother, Oliver, said the display was '˜amazing'. 

Mr McKay, 42, added: '˜We've been here before but this is the first time we've brought the kids along with us.

'˜They liked the bonfire, they liked the rides, they liked the spinning toys and definitely the fireworks so I think we'll be back again.'

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There was more than fireworks keeping the crowds entertained, with an array of fairground rides and games and food and drink stalls bustling throughout the night. 

The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display (l to r), Keith and Karen Weller and their son Harry (15). Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display (l to r), Keith and Karen Weller and their son Harry (15). Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)
The 2018 HMS Sultan bonfire and firework display (l to r), Keith and Karen Weller and their son Harry (15). Picture Ian Hargreaves (181025-1_sultan)

Natalie Newport, from Gosport, enjoyed everything the evening had to offer alongside her father, mother, grandmother, brother, nephew and partner. 

'˜We've been to the display every year,' the 20-year-old said.

'˜It's great for the kids with all the lights and the rides and the fireworks are really good. 

'˜It's lovely to stand by the bonfire and keep warm when it's chilly too.' 

The display was themed on the '˜Year of Engineering', a government campaign to tackle the nation's skills gap.

 

Related topics:HMS Sultan