Remember, remember the fifth of November? Compton Verney gallery (just north of Banbury) has done just that but in psychedelic style. Their new exhibitions include one on the history of fireworks — which appears to have gone full circle. Fireworks were invented by the Chinese but with the Industrial Revolution they exploded throughout Britain, with particularly lavish displays in London’s Vauxhall Gardens and at the Crystal Palace.

Everywhere fireworks became a part of the November 5 festivities, so manufacturers rose to meet the demand — firms like Standard, Brocks, Pains and Astra, whose names recall a golden age of British fireworks now long gone since manufacture has returned to the country of their birth, China.

The collection on loan is the life’s work of Maurice Evans, 82, a retired scrap metal dealer and collector of things pyrotechnic. He filled his home with posters, photographs, shop displays and the fireworks with evocative names. One expects planets and volcanoes, so no surprises with Vesuvius, but I enjoyed the poetry of Crackling Cauldron and Goblin Gun, Mine of Serpents and Dinosaur Candle.

My favourite exhibit is not one of the impressive posters but a small black-and-white advertisement for Standard Fireworks by none other than W. Heath Robinson. His imaginative sense of humour gives us a policeman setting light to a Belisha beacon and a bicycle with spinning Catherine wheels.

The latest work of another artist with a flair for humour and humanity is showing concurrently — Quentin Blake. This wonderful illustrator will always be associated with the works of Roald Dahl, but his talents have recently been used as part of the Nightingale Project to bring art and music to hospitals. The 60 works in Quentin Blake — As Large as Life are from these commissions. Give birth in the new Maternity Hospital in Angers and the scene facing you, in the delivery suites, is of a mother, looking serene, greeting her baby in a dream-like underwater world — not exactly as I recall the experience!

Subtle pictures with oblique messages were chosen for the Vincent Eating Disorder Clinic London. The artist celebrates caring in everyday life; preparing vegetables, apple picking and particularly feeding birds and animals.

Amusing drawings of Planet Zog animate waiting areas in The Alexander Avenue Health and Social Care Centre in South Harrow, which caters for young people. Quentin says: “I think the presence of pictures helps to make being in, or visiting hospital a more normal, less alien experience.”

Both exhibitions have resource areas and the family room for the Quentin Blake exhibition is decorated with wallpaper produced by Osborne and Little using the artist’s illustrations for Dahl books.

Until December 11. For information, go to the website (www.comptonverney.org.uk).