Support Guildford Lions As Its Firework Fiesta Returns With A Difference

Published on: 26 Sep, 2021
Updated on: 26 Sep, 2021

Guildford Lions Club’s Firework Fiesta in Stoke Park is back this year on Saturday, November 6, but with some important differences.

The club says its Firework Fiesta is one of its largest and most important events of the year and when the planning process started back in January this year its firework committee had three significant challenges to overcome.

There were: Covid and the uncertainty of what regulations would be in place in November. Guessing how receptive the public would be to attending and gathering in large numbers given everything we have all endured and the increasing cost of everything related to the event.

The committee was determined to plan an event that would meet the safety and licensing requirements of the Safety Advisory Group and Guildford Borough Council.

Many hours were spent and much discussion took place looking at different alternatives and finally the committee took the very difficult decision to dispense with the torchlight procession as it would be virtually impossible to allow for any degree of social distancing in Guildford High Street.

Moreover, the club says its firework committee was more relaxed about the fireworks display on Stoke Park, given the size and area of the park itself.

To ensure a safe environment that would allow people to practise social distancing and to meet any potential regulatory requirements, the committee decided to break with tradition, and this year it will be a ticketed event.

The Lions club says: “This allows us to limit the number of people on the park and avoid any potential overcrowding.

“With the loss of the torchlight procession we felt needed to bring in alternative entertainment hence the introduction of live music from an award-winning cover band, Blurasis, quality hot food including vegan options, a licensed bar and hot and cold drinks.

“Our costs are considerably higher this year and without the support of our brilliant sponsors – RADical Systems Ltd, Guildford Borough Council, Chapters Financial Ltd, HSBC, Big Yellow Group, The Boileroom – the Firework Fiesta could not happen. Nevertheless, there are still significant costs to cover so we are relying on great support from the public to allow us to plough profits back into the local community.

“We have kept ticket prices down to ensure the event is accessible to as many people as possible and are priced at just £10 per adult with accompanied children under 16 free.

“This year every penny of profit will be used to support the Guildford Sea Cadets in their great work with local children and our own club welfare committee which supports local people in need – so please buy your tickets now!

“We are a registered charity with a sole aim to support our local community doing this by staging fund raising events, talks and collections and so on. We have no paid employees and all profits that we make are used to support people in need.”

To buy tickets and for more information visit www.guildfordlions.com or https://www.facebook.com/GuildfordLionsClub/