Forres Rotary working with community and Fireworx Scotland to put on another best in Moray display and bonfire
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THE ROTARY Club is organising another bonfire and fireworks display in Forres - reputed to be the best in Moray.
Saturday, November 4 will start at 11am with a best Guy competition - every entry receives £10 and the winner gets £30 - at Grant Park, ahead of the bonfire being lit at 6.30pm before the main show at 7pm.
Fireworks convenor Carlo Miele confirmed Forres Rotary needs to collect £10,000 annually to afford the event.
He said: “This is the best display in Moray - the national display team draws lots on doing it as the Forres display is their favourite in Scotland!”
He added: “It’s a donation event and we are fighting rising costs year-on-year. To lift and relay turf via Moray Council alone costs £1100 plus vat!”
Local businesses have donated materials for this year’s bonfire, including potato boxes from farmers.
The fireworks display and accompanying music will be provided by the country’s leading display firm, Fireworx Scotland.
The ‘showies’ will also be at the park with rides and stalls, and there will be vans selling lights, toys and refreshments.
Rotarian Ken McLennan believes successful Forres bonfire nights are down to the community’s combined efforts.
He said: “Forres has pulled together again to make this year special: James Jones & Sons is supplying material for the bonfire; AJ Engineering and Sinclair & Taylor are providing plant and machinery; Signed Graphics are updating our roadside signs; Outfit Moray is doing First Aid support; Forres Events Ltd are providing traffic cones and barriers; Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be there having provided support and guidance; and of course our many volunteers will be rattling buckets, setting up and clearing up afterwards.”
The event complies with the most up-to-date health and safety regulations. The organisers also have an events safety manual and a strict safety team who meet regularly with police and the fire service.
“Safety is paramount,” said Mr McLennan. “Our event plan was approved with no questions following advice from Moray Council and the police. Come and enjoy a professional event rather than taking a risk with back garden fireworks.”
The organisers ask that attendees refrain from using sparklers for safety and disposal reasons. Also, that parents or carers attending with children provide them with identification in case they get lost.
They also warn pet owners in the area that the fireworks display is likely to last around 20 minutes.
“Please take cash for our bucket collection,” finished Mr McLennan. “However, you can also use our QR code to make a donation any time.”
