Hundreds of pounds spent on Jubilee fireworks that never happened (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hundreds of pounds spent on Jubilee fireworks in Cirencester that never happened

7:00pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Laura Shack

HUNDREDS of pounds were spent on a Jubilee fireworks display in Cirencester that fizzled out without happening.

At this month’s Cirencester Town Council meeting, financial records revealed that £600 was spent on cancelling the Diamond Jubilee display.

Lakeside fireworks at Cirencester’s Abbey Grounds – intended to be the climactic end to the town’s celebrations – were called off amid concerns that the display could harm wildlife and newborn cygnets at the site.

Angry animal lovers said the loud bangs and flashing lights would distress the parent birds who might trample their young to death.

In response to the public outcry, the fireworks were cancelled but not in time to avoid the £600 fee by suppliers, Fireworks Effects.

The Cirencester Development Trust’s Heritage and Culture Team, which is part-funded by Cirencester Town Council, was in charge of organising and funding the event.

The team’s chairman and town councillor, Shirley Alexander, said they had hoped to find an alternative site.

"In the end we were not able to, which did incur a cancellation fee," she said.

Cirencester Town Council coordinated payments on behalf of the event team, with money from the Bingham Library Trust and other funding streams.

CTC’s chief executive officer Andrew Tubb said the way in which events were booked were regularly reviewed to minimise any financial risks.