A Moray village’s fireworks display will return with a bang after its 25th anniversary celebrations were cancelled last year.
The spectacular pyrotechnics parade in Portgordon is traditionally held in October every year in advance of Bonfire Night.
However, the 2018 event was cancelled twice due to safety concerns after strong winds caused debris to be blown towards where spectators were due to stand during tests.
However, while that might have been a damp squib, the organising group has confirmed the show will return on Friday, October 25, with ample evidence of how it has grown from the single box of fireworks at the inaugural event in 1993.
Committee member Kenny Gunn said that Ken Matthews, who was instrumental in the establishment of the display, would retain the honour of igniting the proceedings.
He added: “It was Ken who instigated the purchase of that first box all those years ago. The event has grown bigger and has increased in size to cater for all the spectators.
“We had a lot of expense last year, mostly for the public entertainment licence, barrier and cones transportation, toilets and insurance – so all of those needed to be paid.
“But we had already bought the fireworks and they were put back into storage, so they can be used again this year.”
Despite the cancellation, organisers funded CCTV to protect the recently-installed defibrillator at the village’s Lampie Hoose, donated by Buckie Community Choir.
Meanwhile, the fireworks group also intends to support the installation of a second defibrillator, funded by Beatrice offshore wind farm, at the local primary school.
Mr Gunn added: “We are always grateful for generous donations. Our show depends on it and it’s also becoming more important to try and reduce noise levels at organised events through the weeks before and after Guy Fawkes Night.”
This year, a coach will depart from the Buckie Drifter car park at 6.15pm to reduce congestion in the village, and it will return at 8pm with a minimum donation of £1.
Additional car parking will be provided in Portgordon, off Reid Terrace, again with a minimum donation of £1.
Anybody wishing to volunteer on the night should contact Mr Gunn by calling 01542 834213 or 07790 102551.
