FAMILIES attending a fireworks extravaganza run by The Tank Museum at Bovington have been banned from using sparklers.

The event, hosted by The Tank Museum in its Kuwait Arena within Bovington Garrison tomorrow evening, Saturday, will be strictly a sparkler-free zone.

Tank Museum curator David Willey, who will compere the evening: “This is MoD land, we are just hosting the event for them and they’ve asked us not to allow sparklers. The show is taking place in an area used extensively by horses and people tend to drop them afterwards.

“They are metal rods which can easily get stuck in horses’ hooves.”

Mr Willey added that it had become policy at numerous organised fireworks events to ban sparklers, as people can get injured by them.

“At a lot of fireworks displays they are considered a risk,” he said. “People playing with them tend to stand in groups and burn someone else.”

Last year a special area, where sparklers could be lit by members of the public, was set up at event.

“But we learned a lesson,” said Mr Willey. “We tried out this area where people could bring sparklers but they just didn’t stick to it.”

Despite the sparkler ban, the fireworks extravaganza looks set to be one of the best in the county.

Meanwhile, Weymouth’s Guy Fawkes celebration will go ahead on Tuesday, weather permitting.

The fun on Tuesday starts at 2pm with a funfair in the Pavilion forecourt and stalls along the seafront. This is followed by the traditional children’s Guy Fawkes competition at 5.45pm in the Pavilion Theatre foyer.

The highlights of the night will be the lighting of the giant beach bonfire at 7pm and the firework display in Weymouth Bay at 7.20pm.

 

Fireworks events...

TONIGHT

• Bere Regis First School: 6pm to 9.30pm, £5 for adults.

• Wareham Rugby Club: Bonfire and Firework Bonanza featuring live music, food stalls, fairground rides, fancy dress, and more, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.. £5 per adult and £1 for under-14s.

• Wool Royal British Legion: Halloween and firework night display, 7.30pm.

TOMORROW

• Piddle Valley First School: Adults £4, children £2, family ticket (two adults and up to four children) £12.

• Maiden Newton: Gates open at 6.15pm in the field down Frome Lane. £4 adults and £2 children (under fives free) when purchesed in advance from the newsagent or corner shop, or £5/£2 on the gate.

• The Tank Museum: Adults £5, children £4, under 5s free.

• Dewlish Cricket Club: Gates open at 5.30pm.

• Bridport Leisure Centre: Gates open at 7pm, with the display at 8pm. Tickets on the gate are £3 adults and £2 children.

• Freshwater Holiday Park: 9pm.

SUNDAY

• Crossways Youth and Community Centre: 7pm. Admission free but donations towards community groups appreciated.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

• Weymouth Beach: Take your Guy to the pavilion for 5.45pm to be judged, the bonfire is lit at 7pm and the fireworks display is at 7:20pm. Free.

• Dorchester Rugby Club: The annual bonfire and fireworks display at Dorchester Rugby Club on Coburg Road includes a hog roast, barbecue and bar, all from 7.30pm.

• The Marquis of Lorne, Nettlecombe: Free floodlit and marshalled parking, the bonfire lit at 6.30pm and fireworks at 7pm, with an outside bar and barbecue. £4 for adults and £2 for children.

• The Countryman Inn, East Knighton: Celebrating Bonfire Night with a children’s disco, magician, spuds & sparklers, and a Guy Fawkes competition, from 5pm-8pm.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

• Sherborne Castle: A fireworks ‘extravaganza’ is being held with music and food and a bonfire from 5pm. Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for senior citizens and children, call 01963 364399 or visit eventscrew.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

• Southill Fireworks at Budmouth College. Entertainment extravaganza with live music, charity stalls and displays. £5 for adults, free for under 12s. 7pm.