The future of Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront fireworks display could be in jeopardy amid fresh questions about the cost of the display and the possibility that the town’s carnival may move to a new day in 2013.
Members of the Town Council’s Policy and Finance Committee considered the future of the event at their latest meeting this week.
Town Clerk Eileen Shaw said this year’s display had cost the Town Council £7,350, with just £1,350 being met by sponsorship fees.
She said: “It is increasingly difficult to get donations during these tough economic times and some residents do ask whether it is the council’s role to spend such a large sum on a fireworks display.”
“We are not sure when the display will be in 2013, or whether it will go ahead, because talks are underway on a possible change of day for Burnham Carnival.”
Cllr Neville Jones added: “If the carnival were to move from its usual Monday slot, then the fireworks might have to be chopped.”
“It’s traditional to have the fireworks on the night before the carnival to make a weekend of it and help traders, but if we were to lose the pull of the carnival it would put the display in question.”
But Mayor Cllr Ken Smout said: “It would be a great shame to lose the display, particularly after such an excellent display this year.”
Carnival Chairman Phil New told Burnham-On-Sea.com after the meeting that the date of the 2013 Highbridge and Burnham Carnival is still being discussed and no decision is expected for several weeks yet.
Meanwhile, the Town Council has placed funding for the fireworks display into its budget for 2013 but a final decision on whether the event goes ahead will not be taken until after the carnival date is announced.
Pictured: The large crowds at Burnham’s seafront fireworks display earlier this month and, above, the town’s carnival which may change day in 2013
