Barry the Bonfire

Poynton Round Table is thrilled to share that Barry “The Bonfire” Watson has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Poynton Town Council, presented in recognition of around 30 years of service to our charitable efforts, and in particular to the event he’s practically built with his own hands: the annual Bonfire & Fireworks Display.

The award was presented by the Mayor on 1st October, and we couldn’t think of anyone more deserving. So we sat down with Barry to look back on three decades of mud, fireworks, bacon rolls and banter, and to properly celebrate what he’s given to this event and this community.

Why Barry?

Poynton Round Table has been part of this community since 1972, and today runs on the efforts of around 10-15 active volunteers. For most of our history, Barry has been one of the people quietly making sure our biggest night of the year comes together safely.

What makes his contribution stand out isn’t just the length of service, it’s the breadth of it. Over three decades, Barry has taken personal ownership of some of the most demanding and safety-critical jobs on the night:

Electrical infrastructure — planning and delivering the power supply that keeps lighting, sound and catering equipment running across the whole site
Live music — introducing and coordinating the bands that bring the party atmosphere, something he’s proud to have helped bring to the event around 20 years ago
Catering — overseeing food and drink provision for thousands of attendees, a logistical job that takes real planning to get right
Fireworks coordination — managing the logistics and safe execution of the display itself, the centrepiece of the whole night

Where roles and responsibilities across the charity have naturally changed hands over the decades, Barry’s involvement in the Bonfire has not. He’s missed only three Bonfires in 33 years; one to Covid, one spent auditing how neighbouring Wilmslow Round Table ran their own event (“it’s basically the same,” his 20-page report reportedly concluded), and one on an inadvertent holiday in Istanbul, missing his usual post-bonfire pint in the Bull’s Head for the first time in decades.

How Barry Got Started

Barry moved to Poynton in 1993 knowing nobody but the in-laws, joined Round Table, and, in his words, instantly found twenty brand new friends. Rock-climbing, walking, karting, caving, family events, the Christmas Float, and of course the Bonfire & Fireworks Display all followed.

The event itself dates back to the 1970s, born out of the “Keep Poynton in Cheshire” campaign. Despite being run entirely by volunteers, it’s always carried a genuinely professional approach, something Barry has helped maintain for three decades.

Bonfire Day

Ask anyone who’s been involved and they’ll tell you: Bonfire day is a full-on operation. It starts around 8:30am building the bonfire itself (pallets are delivered and sorted a week earlier). By mid-morning, a few spare pallets get screwed together into a field kitchen, and the smell of bacon rolls, tea and cake starts drifting across the park.

From there it’s a steady build: the entrance gate tent goes up, the beer tent is constructed, safety fencing and signage go out, catering pitches get marked, and the sound stage wagon rolls in. The fairground is fully open by late afternoon. Everyone breaks for a chippy tea at 5pm before doors open to the public at 5:30.

Weather has always been the wildcard. There are stories of vehicles stuck fast in the mud, occasionally needing a local farmer and his tractor to haul them free. But as Barry puts it, “history says all problems get sorted.”

On the Night

From 6pm, live music kicks things off, something Barry is especially proud of having helped introduce and grow over the years, giving a platform to local young bands alongside early supporters DJ-Trax and Scruff of the Neck.

A Hundred Endings bringing their usual energy.

The Bonfire is lit around 6:15, the Junior Fireworks show is at 7pm, and the Main Fireworks Display closes the night at 8pm, followed by more music and last drinks before gates close at 9.

And for the volunteers? The real finish line is the well-earned pints in the Bull’s Head once the tents are down, the fences are away, and the site is clear.

A well earned pint after the day is done

In Barry’s Own Words

We asked Barry to reflect on three decades of Bonfires. Here’s some of what he told us.

On why he keeps doing it:

“It’s just a massive Hoot. It’s such Fun, Fun, Fun. Lots of banter, camaraderie and relentless mickey-taking!”

On the moment that makes it all worth it:

“After 20 minutes of fantastic fireworks when 4,000 people or more clap and cheer, it gives me goosebumps! When you are marshalling the crowd out of the park and lots of people say, ‘Those fireworks were awesome mate!’, plus, at the back of my mind, I know we’ve raised a shedload of cash for charity.”

On the toughest year:

Asked for his most memorable night, Barry admits it’s nearly impossible to pick, except for the one year it rained solidly for a week beforehand. The team built the bonfire in the pouring rain, got stuck in the mud all evening, and didn’t reach the pub until gone 11pm. It’s the one year the event made a loss, thanks to poor turnout. “The Round Table Chairman fled to America the year after,” Barry adds, only half-joking.

On near misses:

Safety has always mattered, personal fireworks and sparklers are banned, and spectators are kept well clear of the bonfire and firework zone. St John Ambulance are on-site every year and, Barry says, are usually not very busy “beyond the odd ember in the eye.” His favourite security story: an over-keen guard, flanked by a notably snarly dog, once asked in all seriousness whether he could “set the dogs on” any teenagers who tried to sneak in through the hedge. Nobody got in without paying that year.

On what’s changed since his first Bonfire in 1993:

“The profit made at my first Bonfire was a mere £1,000. I don’t know the numbers anymore, but I do know that Poynton Round Table makes many significant donations to many local causes, clubs and charities. Sub-contracting out the fireworks, catering and merchandise has made running the event much safer and easier.”

On the old days:

The event once opened with a torchlight procession from the Civic Centre to the park, complete with a marching band, baton twirlers, and lines of Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Guides, eventually stopped by police on safety grounds. Barry also remembers running his own merchandise stall, with his garage full of “flashing-light-whirly-toys” and hundreds of batteries every year, all installed by him and his kids. “I’m very glad we don’t do that anymore,” he laughs. Catering used to run the same way, with Barry’s garage doubling as a kitchen store the week before and after every event. “Who can forget Ian’s Big Sausage,” he says, though he admits he doesn’t miss the smell.

On the biggest firework Poynton has ever seen:

In their final year of setting off fireworks themselves, before the decision was made to bring in a professional pyrotechnics company as the display grew bigger and riskier — Barry built a 100-channel electrical switchbox and helped fire “Howard’s 10-incher,” a 10-inch mortar that launched 1,000 feet into the air. When it went off, it set car and house alarms off a quarter of a mile away. “Showbiz!!”

On seeing new volunteers come through:

“Once you have done one Bonfire event, you go one of two ways. You say you have never been so tired in your life and you NEVER come back again, or you say you have never been so tired in your life AND have never had so much fun, and how much you loved it. It is so pleasing to see Poynton Round Table replace people like me with a new set of passionate guys. PRT is in good hands.”

Poynton round table Stockport Greater Manchester — 2025 Team with First Responders (we paid for their vehicle)

Not a One-Man Job

Barry is quick to point out the event has always relied on far more than Round Table alone. Huge thanks over the years have gone to Keith at Mates-DIY and local schools for ticket sales before everything moved online, to St John Ambulance for first aid cover, and to 41 Club, Ladies Circle, Tangent, and countless sports, church and youth groups who help, especially with the clean-up the morning after.

Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Poynton Round Table has been able to make significant donations to local charities, good causes and community groups year after year, all funded by nights like this one.