Forres Rotary Club appeal for support to stage next year’s Bonfire Night at Grant Park with Fireworx Scotland

The organisers of another successful, free bonfire and fireworks event in Forres hope to keep improving it - with the help of more volunteers.

Forres Rotary Club confirmed thousands flocked to Grant Park on Saturday evening, with many attending a new ‘low impact’ display ahead of the main events, but also appealed to the community for help to marshal the perimeter and make the bucket collections vital for staging more.

Chief organiser, Carlo Miele, thanked his team - including suppliers and facilitators Fireworx Scotland of Inverurie - for their efforts.

He said: “We especially want to thank the public for their support … And we value any feedback! I believe the new low impact display and disabled area were well received but ultimately that’s up to the attendees to decide.

“The weather was kind to us. It was wet and windy in the morning but cleared up by late afternoon. The wind got up a little but Fireworx are able to adjust according to the conditions. Their perfect displays compensated for a few issues last year.”

Carlo and others volunteered their time over a few days to ensure Forres Bonfire Night went smoothly.

“I did 33,000 steps on Saturday alone!” he said. “However, regular volunteers, including myself, are getting older and we won’t be able to do this forever.

“We manage but we could do with more adults to help, particularly with the marshalling on Cluny Hill. It’s not entirely fenced off so we rely on volunteers to stop folk wandering around the woods behind the display.”

Prospective volunteers are asked to call 01309 674366 or email info.forrescc@gmail.com.

As the current volunteers set up behind them on Saturday morning, Forrers Area Community Trust chairman Jim McPherson judged five entries for the ‘best Guy’ competition.

New troop 1st Forres Eagle Scouts’ Kingfishers and Kestrels made a Michael Jackson look-alike. Additionally, a ‘Cool Guy’ was created by the group’s Falcon and Kestrel sections.

Anderson’s Primary School P7s put together a Guy made up of two barrels with the numbers six and seven on them to blow-up.

Dyke Primary School entered a Minecraft creeper Guy. In the videogame, the creature can explode when a player gets too close.

There was also a late traditional Guy Fawkes entry from Moray Adapted Curriculum.

As well as earning 1st prize of £30 and prime position on the bonfire, Logie Primary’s winning fire engine Guy was designed to display gratitude to the people who contained the Dava wildfire in July.

“That blaze would have threatened their school,” explained Jim. “Their Guy demonstrated that the pupils have a good appreciation of the world around them.”

Logie spokespeople Farrell Coveney, 9, and Rosie Douglas, 10, confirmed they used cardboard, paint, pens, pencils and reflective ribbon for their creation.

“It was a way of saying thanks to the first responders, estate workers, farmers and others for putting their lives at risk to help,” said Rosie. “I feel very proud of our school’s effort.”

Farrell looked forward to seeing it top the bonfire.

“As well as the rides and stalls,” he added.

A “good crowd” turned up early for the fairground rides, food and drink stalls that opened on Anderson’s playing fields at 4pm. Many stayed on after the bonfire lit at 6.30pm and the main fireworks event at 7pm.

“Our committee will discuss different options for next year,” added Carlo. “We may move the catering to make it easier for attendees to find each other. Year-on-year, we want to enhance the event.

“The proceeds are still being counted and we are still accepting donations but we believe we have enough funds to stage next year’s event. We are still taking donations via texts of BONFIRE to 70490.”