Jesmond without firework display for foreseeable future

by Rebecka Duren in Community

The Newcastle Cricket Club firework display have been cancelled since 2015

Newcastle Cricket Club will not hold a firework event this year due to lack of organisation, a representative confirmed to JesmondLocal.

The popular annual firework event, instigated in 2011, has not been problem free in recent years. In 2015 it was cancelled due to issues with the weather and similarly was called off in 2016. 

The club told JesmondLocal then that they were hoping to have found a solution by 2017, however, a representative now confirms there will not be one for the unforeseeable future.

Tony Whaling, a treasurer at the club, said: “We looked at event insurance, cost of running the event and we contemplated a few ways we could run the event but we’re still looking into it.

“The issue is more around organisation; it’s a huge event to organise, it takes a year’s worth of planning and it would need someone dedicated to organising it“ Whaling added.

Previous years’ events have been directed by the club’s secretary Olwyn Hocking, who recently left her post.

JesmondLocal has not been able to reach Hocking for a comment.

Residents of Jesmond might be tempted to have fireworks of their own, however Newcastle City Council recommends official events, stating that organised bonfires and firework displays “are a safer environment to enjoy a spectacular display.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service supported this in a tweet recently posted with recommendations for a safe bonfire night, writing “attend an organised display” as one of their bulletpoints.

Last year Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue service reported 96 calls on Bonfire Night, with at least 19 callouts to bonfires that were considered dangerous.

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