STANFORD HALL – FIREWORK CHAMPIONS – THE COMPETITORS

WHAT: STANFORD HALL – FIREWORK CHAMPIONS – THE COMPETITORS
WHY: NATIONAL FIREWORK COMPETITION
WHERE: STANFORD HALL, LUTTERWORTH, LEICESTERSHIRE, UK
WHEN: SATURDAY 28th JULY 2018
TIME: 6:00PM TO 10:30PM

The setting for the second of the Firework Champions events is the beautiful grounds of Stanford Hall, just outside of Lutterworth which is holding its fourteenth Firework Champions event.

Stanford Hall is a perfect example of an early manor house and stands on land which has belonged to the ancestors of the current Fothergill family since 1430. In 1690, Sir Roger Cave commissioned the building of the current Manor House in the popular William and Mary style, inspired by King William III (William of Orange) and Queen Mary II. The main features of this type of architecture are the dormer windows, the central dome, a hipped roof and a very symmetrical composition. The house itself contains some beautiful Charles II furnishings which date from the early part of the 17th century.

During the second World War, Stanford offered refuge to the Holy sisters and children from the Sacred Heart Convent, London and more recently, development of a specialist defence and National
Rehabilitation centre in the grounds of Stanford is well under way. Once completed it will offer help, both physical and emotional for up to 300 injured service personnel.

The house is a popular tourist attraction set deep in ancient woodlands, this beautiful place is first rate to spend a relaxed summer’s evening especially with spectacular display fireworks. There is a campsite behind the hall which will cost just £10 a night per adult (children no charge) for your tent, caravan or motorhome. There is no electricity but there are basic toilet facilities and a water supply. We must stress that you are NOT allowed any BBQ’s as these represent a high risk of fire. The Hall is easily reached within a few minutes of the M1, M6 and A14. Alternatively, if you would like to make a weekend of it, there are several placed close-by to stay ranging in price from around £58 - £120 per night.

This year Stanford Hall Firework Champions competitors are as follows:

ILLUSION FIREWORKS LTD – WALLINGFORD, OXFORDSHIRE

Illusion are a fresh and dynamic team who have been part of the firework industry for many years, firing for other teams. They are passionate about pyrotechnics and are guaranteed to thrill the gathered spectators.

They won at Newby Hall in 2015, picked up a 2nd place at Capesthorne Hall in 2016, and they were winners once again at Ragley Hall in 2017 so this team is definitely proving itself to be the one to beat as they are already known for their precision and colour. This is only the beginning of their competition season as they have already been invited to both the British Firework Championships in Plymouth and the British Musical Firework Champion in Southport for 2018.

FIRE MONKEY PYRO – WOLVERHAMPTON, WEST MIDLANDS

The Fire Monkey Pyro team also brought their best when invited to their first ever Firework Champions competition at Eastnor Castle in 2017 as a last-minute replacement and walked away winners with an outstanding display, timed to absolute perfection – future pyro gods perhaps!

This professional team keeps busy all year around with weddings and local events including a ‘Baby Ballroom Christmas Special’ with guest judges, Strictly Dancing’s own Ola and James Jordan along with the usual smattering of local government events.

PHENOMENAL FIREWORKS LTD, STANDISH, WIGAN

The Phenomenal Fireworks team have been in the business for over 10 years and are a very busy team, kept working throughout the year with a huge number of weddings alongside their local government work with the local education authority.

This year, the team has also received the invite to compete in the British Musical Firework Championships in Southport so they at least get to take on some of the competition in a pre-practice!

The teams are all tasked with creating a 10-minute display choreographed to music and once all the teams have shown their wares, the public gets the chance to vote for their favourites whilst watching organisers MLE Pyrotechnics take to the stage with a finale firework display.

There is entertainment for all the family including chats with the organisers, demonstrations of the firing systems etc and of course, food and drink concessions. You can, of course, bring your own food and drink and a blanket and you are set up for a lovely day.

If you have any questions about the event, tickets, gazebo hire etc, please go to the firework champions website and the team from MLE will offer you every assistance.

Enjoy!