Allendale Gets Ready

The Market Square is transformed from the car park shown in yesterday's blip. I'm hoping that they have removed the three cars before building the bonfire ready for tomorrow nights New Year celebrations.

This morning looked like well organised chaos but they should know what they are doing after so many years. It was 'heaven for boys'. There were high viz jackets, chain saws, tractors, trailers and they were building a fire. They all appeared to be in remarkably good spirits despite the fact that it was freezing cold and that many of them did a full shift in the pub last night watching Newcastle get well and truly stuffed.

In amongst the chaos there were people arriving for church! I really do love this place.

There will be some barriers put up arround the fire but it is nothing more than a nod in the direction of Health and Safety. I'm told that the bonfire is not as big now as it used to be and I have heard tales of cracked glass and blistering paint on the nearby buildings in the past. In some places there are less than 20 metres between fire and buildings. Add to that several hundred people, large amounts of alcohol and 45 men carrying flaming barrels and you have all the ingredients for a good night out.