Winchester fireworks display saved after firewood crisis

Winchester Round Table, who are staging the charity event for the 65th time this year, were uncertain whether the event would go ahead after the previous supplier of wood went out of business. 

The event is planned in meticulous detail, with an army of volunteers and suppliers working for months to make the event happen.

However a new supplier, Associated Pallets, has stepped in and will deliver the wood needed for the event on Saturday, November 4 at North Walls Recreation Ground.

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Winchester Round Table is reminding people coming to this year’s event they cannot bring their own scrap firewood for the bonfire, as it needs to be constructed solely from wooden pallets that are formed into cubes and stacked one on top of the other.

Residents are advised to instead take their scrap to their local recycling centre.

Tickets are now on sale for the event at winchesterbonfire.co.uk for £6 when booked in September. 

They cost £8 if booked in October and £10 in November. There will be a new and expanded food festival from 3pm and the traditional High Street torchlit procession from 6pm going via Jewry Street and North Walls, before the lighting of the bonfire and fireworks later in the evening.

Alex Macmillan, Winchester Round Table bonfire chairman, said: “This is great news for everyone who loves coming to see the bonfire and fireworks every year; our bonfire is hugely popular and we’ve worked our socks off to get everything ready for the big night. Now we’ve got the wood we need to be delivered on the day thanks to Associated Pallets we’ll put on the show everyone knows and loves with the amazing new food festival thrown in too.

“I’d urge everyone to get the £6 tickets while they’re still on sale, and if you have scrap wood please don’t bring it along as we’ve now got all the wood we need.”