A STUNNING annual firework display blew crowds away by ending with its ‘biggest finale ever’.

The popular show at South Park in Oxford packed an even bigger punch than usual as it marked its 50th anniversary. 

Despite a wet start to the day organisers were relieved to see the weather clear up in the afternoon, resulting in perfect conditions come the evening.

About 18,000 people poured onto the site in Headington on Saturday evening for the ‘awesome’ display, which also raised thousands of pounds for good causes in the county. 

Organiser, Matthew Balaam, who thanked everyone who supported the show, said: “It was absolutely awesome. The display was brilliant. 

“We ended up with the biggest finale we’ve ever had and the crowd loved it. 

“There were a lot of children at the event for the first time and they loved it.”

Ruthie Griffiths, of Wood Farm, took her seven-year-old son Luke along to the display.

The 32-year-old said: “We come every single year. I’ve been coming since I was a teenager and I’ve been at least 16 or 17 times. 

“Now Luke looks forward to it as much as I do.”

Two young brothers, Joshua and Jude Elphinstone-Hoadley, five and three, were in their element at South Park’s spectacular show. 

Their mum, Sara, who lives with the boys and their dad Mark in Alexandra Road, West Oxford, said: “They were both very excited. The fireworks here are great and the bonfire is always really good. 

“The boys can only remember the past couple of years so they were really looking forward to it, though I think they might have been most excited about being out after dark.”

As well as entertaining thousands, the event, organised by Oxford Round Table, raises thousands for good causes. 

This year it is expected to bring in between £30,000 and £40,000 which the group will dish out to worthy organisations throughout Oxfordshire. 

The event was just one of a wide range to be held in the county.
On Friday, crowds in Long Hanborough, Grove Carterton and Botley were dazzled by displays and bonfires and on Saturday there were events in Abingdon, Wallingford and Bicester. 

In Wallingford a giant mock-up of the Houses of Parliament was torched on the bonfire, while crowds in Botley descended in Matthew Arnold School for one of the first displays of the weekend.