Organised by the Barnard Castle Meet committee, the annual event has thrilled thousands of people over the past five years, but a financial loss last year has led to its cancellation.
Meet committee member Lesley Taylor said it was a difficult decision to make but a choice had to be made between the future of the Meet or the bonfire night event.
Ms Taylor said: “It is all one pot of money. We intend to continue with the Meet.
“We don’t make much money on the Meet so we can’t be losing money on other events. It is a difficult one but we felt the Meet is more important than bonfire night.”
The event was revived after a 15-year gap in 2012 and staged on the Demesnes. However, horse owners complained the fireworks would frighten their animals.
A last minute compromise was reached and about 1,000 people enjoyed the display.
The following year it was moved to Green Lane Primary School, where it continued for three years.
It was due to take place on Shaw Bank in 2016 but Durham County Council refused permission for the event until geotechnical surveys were done to accommodate the funfair rides.
It was moved to Streatlam Farm at the 11th hour and attendance dropped dramatically.
Ms Taylor said: “We have lost money on it for the past two years.
“Last year we lost about £1,500 and the previous year it was about the same.
“Last year was a last minute change of venue as well which did not help.”
Traditionally, Bonfire night has helped to cover the cost of organising the fancy dress parade in the Meet celebrations during the late May bank holiday weekend.
Ms Taylor added that the Meet carnival had been rejigged this year with more free events.
Along with the demise of the annual bonfire night fireworks, the decision will also spell the end for the effigies that were created for the event.
They were designed and made by Martin Bacon and his team from North East Stage Pyro who also put on the fireworks display.
In 2012 they created a version of the Houses of Parliament followed by a Trojan Horse in 2013.
A replica wooden First World War tank was built in 2014 to mark the 100th commemoration of the outbreak of The Great War.
The tank was described as one captured by Germans to avoid anyone thinking burning it was in bad taste.
In 2015 the group designed a replica of Hogwarts Express, from the Harry Potter series of books, and in 2016 they created a Viking longboat.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.