RAIN and wind saw fewer people than normal turn out for the annual fundraising firework displays at Bell Hill in Petersfield and Steep recreation ground.
The atrocious weather saw volunteers praised for their determination to put on the shows.
The Petersfield display, on Saturday, November 2, is organised by Petersfield Round Table and raises money for good causes in the town, and in the past up to 5,000 people have enjoyed it.
This year both sets of bonfire builders worked in wind and rain to ensure the displays went ahead.
A Round Table spokesman said: “The weather put off many people so our takings were down, and we only just broke even. Unfortunately our costs are always the same, but we are delighted to have put on a community event that was enjoyed by the couple of thousand people who did come.”
The Steep event, held on Tuesday, November 5, raises money for the village school and on the night the field was muddy and wet and the weather cold – but more than 1,200 people still turned up.
A Steep Bonfire and Fireworks committee spokesman said: “It sure was a banger – a big shout out to all those who turned up, and an even bigger shout out to all the hard-working volunteers who made it happen.”