50,000 turn out for Alexandra Palace fireworks (From Haringey Independent)

50,000 turn out for Alexandra Palace fireworks

12:31pm Tuesday 10th November 2009

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MORE than 50,000 people flocked to Alexandra Palace on Saturday to watch its immaculate fireworks display.

Featuring up to fifteen minutes of cracking bursts of colours exploding above the landmark site, the show lived up to its reputation of London's most dazzling illuminations.

Set to music including ET, Star Wars and Thunderbirds, the crowd of friends, families, couples and teenagers oohed and aahed as Alexandra Palace pulled out all the stops — despite cutting its fireworks and marketing budget by £10,000.

The total cost to put on the event which included a fairground, a German beer festival and a disco for young people was £100,000.

Natasha Irons, 26, of central London, said: "It was by far the best fireworks show I've ever been to. I didn't want it to end.

"I think it's good the organisers recognised that even in times of hardship it’s important for the community to be given opportunities to come together and find reasons to be cheerful. They’ve shown you don’t need huge amounts of cash to put on a great show."

Rebecca Kane, managing director of Alexandra Palace trading company limited, said: "This is exactly what Alexandra Palace should be doing – attracting crowds to enjoy a whole range of activities that appeal to all ages and tastes, making it truly a People’s Palace.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere and attracted people from across the capital as well as locals."

The man in charge of policing the event, Chief Inspector Jon Williams, of Haringey Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: "Alexandra Palace Fireworks Display continues to be one of the most popular in London and attracts visitors from across the capital and beyond.

"The policing of this year's event was another great success, with in excess of fifty thousand people enjoying a fantastic display in the friendly and safe atmosphere that the event has become known for."

Only two crimes were reported including theft of a mobile phone and a public order offence which led to an arrest.

A further two arrests were made on the night including possession of adult fireworks by someone underage and a suspect wanted by another police force was taken in.

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