Support needed for Winchester's fireowrk display (From Daily Echo)

Support needed for Winchester's fireowrk display

7:20am Friday 27th November 2009

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ORGANISERS of one of Hampshire biggest fireworks displays have called for more support from Winchester City Council.

They told the town forum that without civic backing the event is in danger of collapse.

For 52 years the city’s Round Table has organised the hugely popular annual display with all profits going to charity.

This month’s event attracted some 22,000 people to the North Walls Recreation Ground, raising some £20,000 for local good causes.

However Round Tablers told the forum that the event, although growing, was teetering on the edge.

Conor Gately, bonfire chairman, said every year the organisers take huge personal financial risks as they are liable for any losses.

Mr Gately said that the Winchester Round Table only has 17 members: “It is a great event but it is a challenge to put it on. It is becoming more and more of a real risk. It is becoming harder and harder to raise the money.”

In 2008 the event suffered from a steep decline in commercial sponsorship and was rescued by £5,000 donations from Winchester Business Improvement District and a private donor. Yet every year the costs climb with increased requirements for health and safety.

Mr Gately and Round Table chairman Matt Sturgeon called on the council for help with funding, underwriting the risks and a single contact point for the event organisers.

However Steve Tilbury, council operations director, said there was a problem with giving money to an event that was itself designed to raise money, albeit for charity. The forum asked the council officers to go away and work out ways the Round Table can be helped.

Former mayor and ex-Round Tabler Allan Mitchell said he was surprised that there were only 17 members.

Mr Sturgeon said a recruitment drive was a priority.

Our photographs show action from a previous display

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