Appeal to help keep Burntisland's bonfire burning

Fireworks over Burntisland Links. Pic by Ian R W McCracken

And Burntisland Events, the group which organises it, is also appealing for more volunteers to steward and help with collections on the night.

This year’s celebrations will take place on Thursday, November 3, and everyone is invited to enjoy what is now one of the most popular family events in Fife.

The annual bonfire and fireworks display, which regularly attracts between 4-7000 spectators from around the town and other parts of Fife, costs around £7500 to stage each year. As it only receives a grant of £5000 from Fife Council towards the cost, it relies heavily on donations from members of the public to help subsidise the event.

Over the last two years costs have increased by over 300 per cent and there is a real danger that the event will not go ahead next year or in future years due to lack of finances, so everyone intending to go along is being asked to contribute something.

As in previous years, entertainment, music and lots of fun activities for children of all ages will be laid on from 6pm, along with the fairground rides, refreshments and the very popular glo-sticks stall.

The lighting of the bonfire will happen at 7pm, with the professional fireworks display by 21cc starting from approximately 7.15pm. and lasting over 20 minutes.

Ron Edwards, a member of Burntisland Events, the group which stages the annual display, said: “We rely very heavily on donations from people on the night to be able to put on the following year’s event, so we are urging people to be generous if they come along next Thursday.

“We can’t, and don’t want to, charge an entry fee because of where the display is, so if we don’t get enough in donations we will struggle.”

Ian Archibald, vice chairman, added: “We rely on around 40 people to help steward the event, as well as people to collect donations, so it is quite a big undertaking.

“Our stewards play a vital role in keeping people safe and we couldn’t put on this event without their help.”

Burntisland Events was formed by the town’s Community Council in 2006 to take on the running of the event which was previously organised by Fife Council.

Car parking is extremely difficult so local residents are urged to walk to the event, while those coming from further afield should use public transport whenever possible to reduce congestion on the roads. For Health and Safety and insurance reasons, no personal fireworks and sparklers will be permitted. Please do not take offence if stewards enforce these rules – they are obliged to.