Latest Photos 6th March 2010

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15th Feb 2010

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The first trees are felled

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Bonfire progress

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Bonfire builders BBQ Party

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Bonfire in the SNOW

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Here are few more photos of the castle build. More photos available on the Bonfire 2010 page.

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Here are the latest photos of the build taken on the 15th february.

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These latest photos were taken by Tony Easton of the bonfire on a beautiful crisp clear day.

Keep your eye on this site and as the bonfire progresses we will post the photos here.

If you wish to be kept informed of progress and events please subscribe to our newsletter from our Home page.

With the deep snow and arctic temperatures gripping the country, our committed and eager workers were still busy working on the bonfire site, ensuring everything will be ready for the big burn later this year.

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Construction of the castle is progressing well, with all the poles installed and a start on most of the walls. However, we are desperately short on whole pallets. Pallets are a main component of our bonfire constructions. If anyone can help on the supply of pallets, please call Chris Stacey on 01805 622203 or Email Chairman

Here are our latest photos - can you spot the flypast by Chivenor's search and rescue helicopter!!

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August 2009

The Cavaliers 2010 bonfire is taking shape. All the main poles for the towers have now been erected, and the cladding has started to be put on. Difficulty in obtaining the poles has caused a slight delay, but with thanks to local farmer Richard Metherell, we now have another 12 poles that we can use for the front wall. These will be installed in the next few weeks. As always, weekend volunteers are welcome. Call Chris Stacey on 01805 622203 if you can help.

July 2009.

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After a press release in the North Devon Gazette and advertiser and a request for some tall trees for the main towers; we received a call from Gordon Koffman of High Bickington who was clearing a wood he owned near Chapleton.

After the initial site visit a working party was engaged and a dozen 60ft trees were felled stripped and stored ready for transporting to the bonfire site.

Many thanks to Gordon for his very kind donation.

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A MEDIEVAL CASTLE IS REBORN

A voluntary group that raises money for charity through high profile public events has just announced ambitious plans for its next project.

On the August bank holiday weekend 2010, the Great Torrington Cavaliers will be setting fire to a massive replica of the little known Great Torrington Castle. The castle will be 100 foot wide and nearly 50 foot high, with a working drawbridge, portcullis and several other medieval features.

The Cavaliers, who formed in 1970 and celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2010, are internationally famous for their giant themed bonfires. In 2005 they raised over £70,000 by setting fire to a half-sized replica of HMS Victory in front of a crowd of 15,000 people.

Cavalier Chris Stacey said: “HMS Victory was our most complicated project to date. It had to be an accurate reproduction based on original plans and ships aren’t the easiest things to build, even replica ones. Some people thought we were crazy, spending two years building something and then burning it to the ground within a couple of hours. But that’s what we do and a lot of local charities have benefited from it over the years, with donations of over £300,000 being made.”

Chris continued: “We’re very excited about this project. We had initially considered an Olympic theme to coincide with London 2012, but decided to commemorate our 40th anniversary instead, which is why the castle idea reflecting our history was chosen.”

“It’s more than just a bonfire these days, it’s a complete show. And the castle will be the perfect backdrop to various entertainment in the weeks leading up to the lighting of the fire.”

“Without giving too much away, it should be a spectacular show. And we’ve lined up a fireworks company that will hopefully put on the best display that north Devon has ever seen!”

The main charities to benefit from this project are yet to be announced. If anyone has any castle building expertise or can help with the donation of materials, the Cavaliers would love to hear from you.