2011 Event

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Oxford Mail -Monday 7th November 2011
By Thom Airs »

A 42ft-tall wicker man presided over a record-breaking crowd as fireworks lit up the Oxford sky.
 
More than 25,000 people flocked to see the burning effigy at the 44th annual event at South Park on Saturday evening.
 
Organisers Oxford Round Table said takings were set to top a record £80,000, which will go to local charities.
 
Live music, fairground rides and performers kept the crowds entertained before a 30-minute firework display filled the air.
 
Eight-year-old Tom Lydford-Brace, of Cumnor, won the competition to design this year’s wicker man.
 
Having watched it go up in flames, he said: “That was amazing, totally incredible. It’s a night I’ll never forget.
 
“I never knew there was going to be a massive fire behind it, which made it really stand out. I’m not sad at all, it was great to see it go up in flames.
 
“It feels amazing to know so many people came here to see it burning and it’s all raising money for charity.”
 
Stanley Burke, 10, designed the inner structure of the wicker man, which was revealed once the outer materials had burned away.
 
He said: “I only found out on Wednesday that it was my design. I thought they had already picked a winner because I sent my entry in so long ago, so it was a complete surprise.”
 
Dan Barton who created the flammable sculpture for the fourth year toured the wicker man around the county before Saturday’s show.
 
He said: “We’ve been working really hard but it’s been so much fun.

“Everywhere the wicker man has been it has put smiles on people’s faces and we’re so pleased to do that.”
 
Jason Priest, of Oxford Round Table, said: “We’re really pleased with how it went. I thought it went really smoothly and just keeps getting better every year.
 
“We raised £75,000 last year and we’re confident we will go past £80,000 this year, and maybe even more.”