THE annual fireworks and bonfire night in Malmesbury has been saved from the brink of extinction.

The popular event has been going for more than 30 years but was almost cancelled this year as the organisers, the Malmesbury Round Table, could not get public liability insurance due to falling membership numbers.

A newly formed Malmesbury Bonfire Committee announced earlier this week that they will be taking over staging the town’s annual fireworks night.

Keith Maslin, one of the regular organisers of the event, is happy a positive conclusion has been reached.

“I’ve very pleased we’ve resolved it,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed the fireworks myself, and I suppose my interest in keeping it going was from the fact that when my kids were younger I appreciated when someone else took care of the issues that fireworks can cause.

“That’s why I’ve stuck with it and refused to give in so people will not have to go to someone else’s display.”

The new committee is made up of two local firefighters and former member of the Malmesbury Round Table.

"It has only been possible to stage the event as a result of public liability insurance being provided by The Fire Fighters Charity through Malmesbury Fire Station,” continued Keith.

"As a result of this approach 51 per cent of any profits made from the event will be donated to the charity.

"Personnel from Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service will be in attendance on the night, but hopefully only for their aesthetic benefits, rather than their firefighting skills.

"It is also hoped that there will be a fire engine on site to amuse some of the younger audience but this will be based on operational availability.

"We hope this year’s event will achieve a record attendance and raise a healthy amount for this excellent charity, as well as other local charities.

“My main objective is to get this year’s display done then we can regroup.

“We will then have more time for something better for next year.”

Wayne Jones, deputy mayor of Malmesbury and station manager with Wiltshire Fire & Rescue, will be responsible for the fireworks on the night on behalf of the charity. He was instrumental in getting the event back on track.

“As deputy mayor I was notified it wouldn’t go ahead,” he said.

“We suggested to Keith to put a message out there and see how community wanted to react. A couple of people from the fire service said to get involved.

“The fire station and I are going to work with Keith’s team to make sure it goes ahead as originally planned.

“We’ll be providing support to them with a view to maintain the display in future years.
“It’s one of the highlights in the calendar for town of Malmesbury. Everyone looks forward to it every year.

“It would have been sad day if we weren’t able to put it on.

“I was happy to contribute in some small way this year.”

Michelle Biner from Malmesbury takes her children to the Malmesbury fireworks night regularly and is pleased it will be going ahead this year.

“I was disappointed when I heard it might not be going ahead,” she said.

“The kids love it and the whole atmosphere is great, so I’m glad it’s back on.”

Simon Haggarty, manager of The Old Bell in Malmesbury, welcomed the news that the night will go ahead.

“We do benefit from it because a lot of people come to the pub after it finishes,” he said.
“Some pubs in the town get an influx of people that night.

“Anything that can benefit Malmesbury is a good thing so I’m glad it’s going ahead.”

The display will take place as usual at St Aldhelms Mead in Malmesbury on Saturday, November 7, at 7pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm.