UNCROWNED KING

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 451, 3 January 1934, Page 8

UNCROWNED KING

FIREWORKS ISLAND The "King of the Island" is dead. Bernard A. Hastain, who for 30 years reigned as uncrowned king of the fireworks island at Belle Vue, Manchester, died at his home in the gardens on Saturday, November 4, at the age of 58. Millions of people, children and adults, had in three decades seen Hastain's spectacular fireworks displays at Belle Vue. His gigantic scenic paintings were famed all over the world. Right up to the moment of his death he had been superintending from his bed the arrangements for the Guy Fawkes display that evening. So ill with congestion of the lungs that he could scarcely speak, he scribbled his instructions on paper. The children must not be disappointed. The 20ft. guy he had made for the bonfire must be the best ever. Despite his illness he was determined that last evening he would leav; his bed and carry out his plans for judging a display of guys made by Manchester children. That task was carried out sadly, but according to his plans, by Miss Marjorie Dewsbury, his niece, and "right hand" for many years in the preparation of the scenic spectacles. *nd Bernard Hastain, the man who never missed a single performance in any of the 30 years' fireworks displays was in his house close by. Mr. Hastin not only wrote the scenario and designed the whole of the dresses and scenery the Bulle Vue Island displays, but painted every scrap of it himself, utilising a hundred brushes on the acres of canvas. He knew the delight which children •, ,ok in fireworks and in spectacular display., and his last thoughts on the eve of the great fireworks, festival were that th( children should have a happy evening. Though the "King of the Island" was nut there to give the, order that night, the mortar was fired and the fireworks blazed and sparkled round the burning effigy, as he had planned they should.