Black hole in bonfire cash

Steve McElroy 1565 - 1565 • Published 13 Nov 2008 09:30

Bad weather has blasted a £2,000 hole in the finances of Helensburgh"s annual fireworks display.

Saturday"s rain and gales meant many people watched the fireworks from the shelter of their cars or houses.

As a result, the takings - amounting to around £5,000 - which are essential for the event next year, are around £2,000 short of the £7,000 needed.

Now the volunteer organisers, Helensburgh and District Round Table, are appealing for people to make belated donations to safeguard next year"s event.

Gordon Andrew, Round Table fireworks convener, said: 'There were a lot of people sitting in cars watching the fireworks because of the heavy rain. Usually people are outside watching them and give us a generous donation, but that didn"t happen.

'We are quite concerned as it also means we may have to have additional fund raising if we want to stage the event next year.'

Gordon added: 'Unfortunately due to the weather this year, the amount raised was down significantly compared to past years.

'This will have the unfortunate, but inevitable, consequence of putting next year"s fireworks and bonfire display at risk.'

The Tablers will be having meeting in the next few weeks to find out what the financial situation is.

The fireworks display went ahead after a generous businessman donated £1,000 - the amount of the deposit they lost - after the Glasgow company, where the fireworks are bought, went into liquidation.

Gordon said: 'We would like to thank everybody who turned up on the night in the awful conditions to watch the display and to support us."

See this week's Advertiser for full story.

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This article appeared in The Gazette 13 Nov 08

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