Effingham Eye: No Volunteers – No Fireworks

Published on: 25 Aug, 2016
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2016

By Chris Dick

Most of us like fireworks but in Effingham this year “bonfire night” has been cancelled, at least as a village community event.

What a shame. It is one of our cultural traditions, even if most of us forget its original political/ religious message. What better in dreary November than gathering together as a community to enjoy some spectacular pyrotechnics?

So how has this happened? Why has the management committee of EVRT (Effingham Village Recreational Trust) cancelled this well attended village bonfire event for the foreseeable future?

A registered charity, EVRT has run this popular display on the King George V Hall fields for about 15 years. It has been one of the most successful and profitable displays in the area making about £4,000 a year. Its loss will be sadly felt by its supporters.

The King George V Village Hall and fields at Effingham

Effingham parish councillor James Nicholls told me that the fireworks were first started 20 years ago by private residents who were members of EPFA (Effingham Playing Fields Association) which has had its club bar in the main KGV building since it was built.

It seems that the event has been a victim of its own success, too many people attending, too few volunteers to help and consequently growing risks to public safety and playing field maintenance.

On the decision to cancel the fireworks display Gill Bowerman, chair of EVRT, explained: “It was not an easy decision, we debated long and hard at our board meetings, we also had a discussion at our public AGM.

“We were so short on volunteers last year that the burden on the trustees and the manager had become too large. We have held suppers for volunteers, we feel we have done all we can to encourage volunteers but they have not consistently come forward and certainly did not for the 2015 display. We have however been unstintingly supported over the years by the Rotary Club for which we are very grateful.”

Surely a solution is possible to keep this community event going? Why not form a dedicated independent Village Fireworks Committee? Of course, all interested parties would have to be represented and all concerns properly addressed but if they could be this wonderful event could continue for years to come.

Gill and her fellow volunteer trustees on the management committee do work hard at what is often a thankless task. And even if the committee have got their firework night decision wrong they have overseen some clear improvements over the past couple of years. Most recently we have seen the new signage, improved hall usage, and the change to outside ground maintenance contractors as well as the introduction of a café wagon.

Loolabells

And, about the new café wagon, intriguingly named “Loolabell’s” which opened this week – I saw a wide range of customers including the very elderly, workmen, dog owners and families with young children enjoying refreshments there.

Loolabells cafe wagon – popular with a range of customers

Louise Wishart opened for business on Thursday 18 August to warm weather and lots of local interest. She was clearly delighted with the reaction from residents and is open daily 7am to 7pm.

Her introductory prices are competitive – tea £1 and a generous full English breakfast £6.

Louise Wishart delighted with the reaction to her service

Louise, who had recently lost her local delivery job, said that everyone had been supportive, kind and patient and later quipped: “Now I’ve got you all coming to me I can put the prices up!”

In truth she will not put up the cost of beverages and frankly everyone thinks the prices were too much of a giveaway. And in case you were wondering, her nieces and nephews call her “Loolabell” hence the name of her business.

Next time I will write about Heritage Weekend (Saturday, September 10 , 9am – 4pm) in Effingham. How much do you know about its history? Have you heard of the Miller Bible at St Lawrence Church?