Town council boost for Oswestry fireworks event
Oswestry Town Council has come to the rescue of a traditional bonfire event after terrible weather saw the event lose money.
For the past 25 years the Treble Niners, a group of retired and retained firemen, have organised the event at Brogyntyn, behind the fire station.
Up to 4,000 people have attended the displays, which have raised £65,000 for good causes. But last year driving rain saw a fraction of the turnout and the event made a loss of £200.
This week Oswestry Town Council, which underwrites the event, agreed not only to pay the £200 but make the money up to £1,000.
This will allow the Treble Niners to continue its tradition of giving money to charities.
Councillors said they were concerned that with the losses the Treble Niners might decide not to hold the event in future.
At their meeting on Monday Councillor Vince Hunt said: "This event has been successful for so many years and it was a great shame that last year was such a terrible night.
"The fireworks are a great asset for the town and it is so important that it carries on. We must thank the organisers who give up so much time to organise it – in all weathers – every year.
"Although we underwrite the event every year, this is the first time that the Treble Niners have had to come to us for help."
It was agreed that money could be taken from the Christmas lights budget, which made a saving this year, and put into the bonfire night fund.
Retired and retained firefighters launched the Treble Niners to ensure families could enjoy bonfire night in safety and to raise funds for charity, including the Firefighters Benevolent Fund.
Today Mike Wilkinson, one of the founder members of the Treble Niners and retired station officer at Oswestry Fire Station, said the group was very grateful to the town council.
He added: "We were dreadfully disappointed this year. Usually we have bet-ween 3,000 and 4,000 people at the bonfire but the weather was horrendous and we probably had about 1,000 hardy people support us. It was such a shame as to celebrate our anniversary we had arranged for a spectacular display. Those who braved the night were treat-ed to a wonderful show."
The Treble Niners will hold an evening at the fire station in the coming weeks to award grants to good causes.
