High winds cancel Burnham-On-Sea's seafront fireworks display

Published: November 11, 2007
High winds cancel Burnham-On-Sea's seafront fireworks display

High winds caused the last-minute cancellation of Burnham-On-Sea's annual seafront fireworks display on Sunday evening (November 11th).

Organiser Linda Krause-Davies from Sedgemoor District Council announced the decision at 5.30pm after taking advice from Alan Christie, managing director of Skyburst Fireworks, the firm running the display.

The pair - exclusively pictured here - made the decision in the town's Tourist Information Centre, leaving large crowds of spectators to turn away disappointed.

Mr Christie told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The wind has been blowing at 25mph all day. It eased off during the middle of the day, but it's done the opposite to the forecast this evening by getting stronger and blowing more onshore."

"We fired a 25-shot 'cake' of fireworks at 5.30pm to test the conditions and most of the debris fell on the beach, but the embers were coming down on the sea wall, which would not have been safe."

"To get all of the crowd back from the sea wall would have required a huge number of marshalls."

The 2006 seafront fireworks display "It's always a very difficult decision to call off events like this. Only two of my displays have been cancelled in 25 years, but the health and safety of spectators has to be paramount."

The fireworks display is not the first event of the year in Burnham to fall victim to high winds. In the summer, Burnham's annual Stert Island Swim was also cancelled at the eleventh hour due to bad weather.

The cancellation was not bad news to businesses in the town, though, with many spectators seeking alternative entertainment elsewhere.

Julians the gift shop in the High Street stayed open late and owner Chris Julian told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "It's been a good evening - we've had a steady number of people through our doors."

And Louise Parkin said the Pavilion had also been busy. "It has been busy, but I just hope that tonight's cancellation does not backfire on Burnham by putting people off coming in future years. I feel desperately sorry for those who have travelled long distances to get here."

Our photos show Linda Krause-Davies from Sedgemoor District Council with Alan Christie of Skyburst Fireworks on Sunday evening discussing whether the display should proceed. The 2006 event is also pictured.