Imagine the excitement being in a 10 x 10 bedroom with a shoe box full of fireworks when the sparkler you SECRETLY lit ignites the jumping jacks, Catherine wheels, sky rockets, big bangers, Roman candles etc.

The evidence was permanently etched in the cement rendered walls, where the rockets came to a sudden halt, while others went through the mattress and up to the ceiling. How we managed to survive unharmed, God only knows. How the house didn't burn down we will never know.

As Catherine wheels were spinning around the room and jumping jacks going across the bed we raced, terrified, for cover outside the room until the noise died down.

Needless to say that was the end of us collecting fireworks and storing them under the bed, ready for the village annual Guy Fawkes Day fireworks display. And now, every time I see a spectacular fireworks display, I remember the one my brothers and I had in their bedroom in the 1950's..............Jean