Plymouth Woman to Judge Firework Championships on Her 90th Birthday

Plymouth Woman to Judge Firework Championships on Her 90th Birthday

A Plymouth resident is set to experience a "terrifying" new challenge just days before her 90th birthday – judging the British Firework Championships.

Sue Dunn, a long-time resident of Plymouth Hoe, has been invited to take on the role of judge at the annual event, which returns to the city on 14th and 15th August.

Miss Dunn, who turns 90 on Saturday, has lived on the Hoe since 1963 and witnessed a number of historical events, including visits from Queen Elizabeth II. She has always enjoyed watching the firework championships from the crowd, but this year, she'll be experiencing them from a whole new perspective.

The championships, now in their 27th year, will see six teams compete for the title in front of over 100,000 spectators across the two nights.

Miss Dunn, though apprehensive about her new role, is looking forward to the challenge. "I'm not really sure how I feel as I've never done anything like this before," she admitted. "In a way, it's a bit terrifying."

While she's uncertain of her judging criteria, Miss Dunn is keen to appreciate the displays for their colour and patterns in the sky. "I'm looking forward to it because it's something new, and I enjoy doing new things," she added with a smile.

When it comes to her favourite displays, Miss Dunn has a unique preference: "I normally like the ones that nobody else picks!" she quipped.

The firework displays are scheduled to begin at 9:00pm on both nights, promising a dazzling spectacle for the thousands who gather on Plymouth Hoe to witness the spectacle. As Miss Dunn prepares to take on her unusual judging role, she’ll no doubt be adding another memorable experience to her long and eventful life on Plymouth Hoe.

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