THE fireworks for this year’s display in Malmesbury were prematurely extinguished after organisers announced that the show is unlikely to be going ahead, however there is hope on the horizon for the popular community event.

The Malmesbury Round Table, which organises the annual fireworks display in the town, cited membership numbers dropping below the levels needed to allow the event to take place.

Keith Maslin, a former Round Table member who has been involved with the bonfire and fireworks night for the last 20 years, believes it will be a great shame for Malmesbury to lose the regular event.

He said: “It’s very disappointing that Malmesbury will not have a display this year.

“We have tried numerous times to recruit new members.

“One year we even tried organising a free clay pigeon shoot with barbecue afterwards and no one responded.

“After several years of warning this day was coming, sadly it has now arrived.

“I very much hope that an alternative organisation will come forward and take over the organisation of the event.

“We just can’t stage it without having liability insurance.

“You can call upon a blanket policy to cover you, but this year we’re down below the required number of members to get the insurance.

“It may be too late for this year but hopefully next year it can be revived.”

Since the story of the cancellation appeared on the Standard’s website, a number of people have stepped forward to offer their support in getting the night back in action.

One of those people is Philip Selwood, secretary of the Rotary Club of South Cotswolds.

The club runs a fireworks display in Tetbury and Philip contacted Keith to offer support.

“If they’re still stuck, we’ll step into the hole,” he said.

“We’re there for them if they need us.

“We’re anxious not to tread on anyone’s toes but we’ll offer any expertise we can.

“Next year we can get together and run it between us and do it in a bit more of a proportioned way.”

Following discussions with various groups including fire fighters, there remains a spark of hope that the fireworks display may still be able to go ahead this year.

Keith explained: “We are meeting with guys previously involved in organising the Malmesbury fireworks display to try to get it sorted out.

“We have a fireworks company that have said they’re available for November 7, which is when we want to hold the event, so we’re hoping we can still do it.”