Fireworks raise £60,000

DOWNEND Round Table’s firework display has raised around £60,000 for good causes.

The show on November 8 drew more than 10,000 people to King George V playing fields, on a dry night of near-perfect conditions.

A Downend Round Table spokesperson said the event had broken records for ticket sales and other income, and is expected to make a profit of around £60,000, which will be donated locally.

An option for people to make an extra donation on top of their ticket orders raised an extra £4,000. 

Among those who will benefit are the local primary schools who helped sell tickets, along with other groups who provided help including scouts, guides, cadets and Impact Dance. They will share around £10,000 between them.

Event charity Julian Trust will receive an additional £4,000 in memory of volunteer Alan Webber. 

The remaining proceeds go into a fund which will be allocated to local charitable causes and community projects chosen by Downend Round Table.

People can contact ask@downendrt.co.uk for more information about how to apply for a grant.

This year’s show had a theme, ‘A Night at the Movies’, with the main display choreographed by award-winning pyrotechnicians SkyBurst, accompanied by a light show and music from entertainers Party Peeps.

It included a “flame show” aimed at younger members of the audience and light displays to complement the fireworks. 

Downend Round Table chairman Paul wells said: “Yet again we have hosted a wonderful Fireworks Spectacular.

“This event has now taken place for over 50 years and is a key event in the diaries of the local community.

“We absolutely love bringing the community together for this fantastic spectacle and we are so grateful for the support of our sponsors C J Hole and Party Peeps, all our volunteers, and especially attendees, as their contributions allow us to make a positive impact on our community.”

After selling out in the previous three years, the organisers made changes to the site to allow for a larger crowd and said around 2,000 extra people attended this year.

A Round Table spokesperson said there had been some queuing at the main gate, and people were being encouraged to use all of the site entrances in future years.

A date for next year’s show has already been scheduled for on Friday November 7.