All set to go off with a bang

Remember, remember the fifth of November, the gunpowder, treason and plot... and even if it’s not quite the fifth, there will be lots of firework displays to get all eyes on Dorset’s skies.

Tomorrow, the Friends of Piddle Valley First School will be hosting a bonfire and firework event from 6pm at the first school in Piddletrenthide.

The Round Table’s annual Bridport firework display will be wowing the crowds when the gates open at Bridport Leisure Centre at 7pm tomorrow.

This year, entertainment will include a merry go round, candyfloss stall, plate smashing, barbecue, hot chocolate stand and new act ‘Lizzie the fire breathing lizard’ will be walking round impressing the crowds.

Simon Wakely, of Bridport Round Table, said: “We have tried really hard this year to put on a good show for those who come in and enjoy the event, and we hope it will be well supported for the event’s sake and for those who put themselves out to help.

“It’s really important to us that locals know that all the money we raise from the event goes back into good causes in the community, so please support us.”

Then on Wednesday, November 5 there will be a host of events. Weymouth Beach will be lit up by a huge bonfire at 7.40pm, before the fireworks start at 8pm.

Beforehand there will be a host of family fun from 3pm including a fun fair on the Pavilion forecourt and stalls along the seafront. There will be the traditional free children’s Guy Fawkes competition at 6.45pm in the Pavilion Theatre Foyer – so make sure you dress your ‘Guy’ to impress.

There will be free car parking available in all borough council-run car parks after 6pm.

In the county town, Dorchester Rugby Club's fireworks evening will run from 6pm to 11pm and will include a hog roast, a barbecue, a bar and amusements. Everyone is welcome at the event, which will raise funds for the club.

In West Bay on November 5 there will be a bonfire on the beach. The evening starts at 5.30pm, with the Guy Fawkes judging at 6pm, and will run until 10.30pm at the East Beach Car Park in West Bay.

The event is free but organisers are asking for donations towards a Christmas Tree to be placed on ‘The Green’ in West Bay throughout December.

Then, on Saturday, November 15, around 3,000 people will gather for the annual Southill Fireworks event.

This will be held at Budmouth College from 6pm to 9pm, with fireworks at 8pm.

There will be a children’s fancy dress parade (with the theme of fireworks), food and drink, carnival stalls run by Weymouth Carnival Committee, bouncy castles, rides for the kids and the addition of a main stage, where Air 107.2 will be entertaining the crowds.

Organiser Paul Gabb said: “Do make sure you are there early. You wouldn’t want to miss all the fab competitions and the special musical treat from the Weymouth Ukeleleans, and headlining after the fireworks it’s Weymouth’s Blue Rock.”

The event will support the medical charity Three Ells Trust. Other charities will also be running stalls during the evening, including Weldmar Hospice Trust, SPARKS and Kidz R Us.

Area manager Craig Barker

Safety advice from area’s firefighters

FIREFIGHTERS are urging people planning bonfires to stay safe.

Following the announcement of Fire Brigades Union strike dates, from 6pm this evening to 6pm on November 4, Dorset Fire and Rescue are encouraging people organising fireworks displays or having private firework parties to think about all aspects of safety.

Normal emergency cover will resume on Bonfire Night.

Area manager Craig Baker said: “Although as a fire service we would not normally get involved in a firework display, due to our limited resources this weekend we are encouraging organisers to make sure their display is as safe as it possibly can be.

“Please consider the safe size of any bonfire you may be having and the materials added to it. The stack should be built so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side. Never use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire and don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, rubber, including tyres, and tins of paint or bottles.”

He added: “When it comes to fireworks, at an organised event there should be at least a 50m cordon between any firework firing area and spectators.

“If you are holding a private firework party please only buy fireworks marked with the British Standard, BS 7114, don’t drink alcohol if you are in charge of setting off fireworks and follow the instructions on each firework.

“We don’t want people to cancel displays or rearrange their events; we just want to organisers to make sure their event is as safe as possible.”

Fireworks? Think pets

FIREWORKS night is the single most stressful day of the year for pets, a study by Pets at Home found.

To reduce the stress caused by the lights and noise, Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets and veterinary behaviourist, recommends taking these simple steps to help your furry friends.

Top tips include: using a nutritional supplement like zylkene, which has a milk protein peptide that has a soothing effect (much the same as hot milk on humans), and creating a ‘safe house’ for pets out of old clothes and blankets under a bed a few days before Bonfire Night.

He said: “Once the fireworks begin, close your windows and curtains and block off catflaps to keep your pets in the house.

“Stay calm and act naturally around your pet, and if you normally have third-party sounds – such as the television or radio – put them on but not too loudly.

The Code

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
• Keep fireworks in a closed box
• Follow the instructions on each firework l
• Light at arm’s length, using a taper
• Stand well back l Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them
• Always supervise children around fireworks
• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
• Never give sparklers to a child under five
• Keep pets indoors

Bonfire advice

• Site well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs and always away from fireworks
• l Before lighting the fire, check that no pets or children are hiding inside it
• l Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• l Never use flammable liquids – paraffin or petrol – to light the fire
• l Don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols and tins of paint or bottles
• l Keep everyone away from the fire – especially children, who must be supervised at all times