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Businessman saves fireworks display (From Dorset Echo)
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Businessman saves fireworks display
8:49am Wednesday 22nd October 2008
SOUTHILL Fireworks will be back with a bang after a businessman stepped in to save the popular event.
Organisers had been forced to cancel the 12th annual fireworks display at Southill shopping centre after claiming the credit crunch had left them unable to attract sponsors.
But when Stuart Barnes saw the plight of the community event he was determined not to let it fizzle out and offered to be the main sponsor for the event.
His backing means the event has been resurrected and will now go ahead as planned on November 8.
Mr Barnes, who attends the display every year, says he was spurred into action when he spotted a story in last week’s Echo concerning the economic plight of the fireworks display.
Southill Fireworks normally attracts between 2,000 and 3,000 people and raises around £1,000 for local charities, but the 2008 event was under a very real threat after organiser Jon Gabb revealed they were £1,300 short of the funding required to put on the display.
He said: “When I first heard it was under threat I thought they would come up with the money but when I read about it in the paper last week I realised they needed someone to come in.”
Mr Barnes contacted Mr Gabb and agreed to come on board as main sponsor to cover the funding shortfall.
His three companies, Coastal Plumbing and Gas, Coastal Computing and Stuart Barnes Ltd, are all sponsoring the event.
Mr Barnes said: “They have made us the main sponsor of the event and we will be working closely with Jon to get it all back on track as there are still the fireworks to get and things and he has to design the firework display.
“They will benefit from it and hopefully we will too.”
He added: “It’s for the people of the community, to give a little bit back as it’s easy to take all the time.
“Hopefully it will be a good night with lots of people there.”
This year’s event will also raise money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Southill Youth Club, Kidz R Us pre-school, Radipole Scout Group and Southill Primary School PTA.
A grateful Mr Gabb said: “I couldn’t believe it when I got the call. We are back on again and everyone’s really quite happy about it. I have had a lot of feedback from people saying it’s fantastic news that it’s going ahead and the charities are thrilled.
“We will try and make it as special as possible this year.”
Mr Gabb also wanted to thank the event’s other sponsors for ensuring the event went ahead, including the John Gregory pub, AKI Ltd, Bridwey Precision Engineering Ltd, Tidings, Southill Snooker Club, Independent Financial Solutions (Southill), Bartlett’s Garage, Dunnings Automatics, Albion Shipping Services, Angel Pharmacy, DEPA H20 Services, LG Interiors Ltd and BEC Furnishings.
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Your Say YourEcho
maximus, Weymouth says...
11:44am Wed 22 Oct 08
Ask Archie, Weymouth says...
12:24pm Wed 22 Oct 08
Hydro1, Weymouth says...
1:09pm Wed 22 Oct 08
maximus wrote:yeah let's just get away with all community events!!! that sounds like a fun idea!
Instead of burning all that money, why not have a collection before starting then announce that the 'firework' money is going directly to charity?
i think it is a great idea that people in the community have a chance to get together for something like this and whilst they are bringing their community a bit closer together they get to make some money for charities as well.
well done to all involved, and well done to Stuart Barnes!
mikeman, Portland says...
1:50pm Wed 22 Oct 08
geekboy, Weymouth says...
1:54pm Wed 22 Oct 08
Ask Archie wrote:Who cares how the money is raised for Charity? At least Stuart Barnes Ltd is trying to help a good cause and the local community! If you are that worried why don't you donate a large sum to the cause? Let’s see the colour of your money!!! This is supposed to be an uplifting news article, and it's a real shame that some people have to go and post negative comments! Why bother? I think I also speak for the thousands of people who turn up to the event as well, so I'm pretty sure your narrow minded comments are slightly out numbered.
Could not agree more Maximus.This really does seem a strange way to make money for charity.
Ask Archie, Weymouth says...
3:10pm Wed 22 Oct 08
I happen to donate sums to 2 charities on a regular basis.I donate CASH that is used directly to the cause.Is there a net gain from this event ie cash raised minus cost of fireworks? If people want a getogether then have a street party or a mass sponsered walk neither have to have money up front.
Hydro1, Weymouth says...
3:47pm Wed 22 Oct 08
Ask Archie wrote:So what are you saying? Cancel fireworks nights that raise money for charities at the same time?
Geekboy (very apt) I happen to donate sums to 2 charities on a regular basis.I donate CASH that is used directly to the cause.Is there a net gain from this event ie cash raised minus cost of fireworks? If people want a getogether then have a street party or a mass sponsered walk neither have to have money up front.
As a kid I used to love Fireworks Night get togethers and I am sure hundreds of children will enjoy this too. If by getting a thoasand or so people together to watch the fireworks and raise some money for charity at the same time I don't really see what the problem is?
LeJuggs, Cockville says...
5:02pm Wed 22 Oct 08
geekboy, Weymouth says...
8:56pm Wed 22 Oct 08
Ask Archie wrote:Are you familiar with what happens on fireworks night? It's a night where people buy fireworks and set them off into the sky. I won’t go into the background details as to why we have fireworks because you obviously didn't learn anything while you were at school, but it only happens at a certain time of the year... or shall we have a sponsored walk to celebrate this tradition? Having an organised display is far safer than people buying their own fireworks and setting them off in the garden, so the good people of Southill decided to put on a great show for the local people, that will not only be safer but help towards making some money for a charity. People like you complain that we have no community sprit anymore and when people get together to have a good time and RAISE AWARENESS for a charity, you come along and have to moan about it. Good on you for donating and don’t forget to get the tax rebate for your donations. Oh and cheers for the school boy comment about my username, you are very funny! Well done!
Geekboy (very apt) I happen to donate sums to 2 charities on a regular basis.I donate CASH that is used directly to the cause.Is there a net gain from this event ie cash raised minus cost of fireworks? If people want a getogether then have a street party or a mass sponsered walk neither have to have money up front.
mikeman, Portland says...
4:10pm Thu 23 Oct 08
geekboy wrote:Oh dear Archie you must stop upsetting people, anybody would think you do it on purpose. You know how much fun it is setting light to money.
Ask Archie wrote: Geekboy (very apt) I happen to donate sums to 2 charities on a regular basis.I donate CASH that is used directly to the cause.Is there a net gain from this event ie cash raised minus cost of fireworks? If people want a getogether then have a street party or a mass sponsered walk neither have to have money up front.Are you familiar with what happens on fireworks night? It's a night where people buy fireworks and set them off into the sky. I won’t go into the background details as to why we have fireworks because you obviously didn't learn anything while you were at school, but it only happens at a certain time of the year... or shall we have a sponsored walk to celebrate this tradition? Having an organised display is far safer than people buying their own fireworks and setting them off in the garden, so the good people of Southill decided to put on a great show for the local people, that will not only be safer but help towards making some money for a charity. People like you complain that we have no community sprit anymore and when people get together to have a good time and RAISE AWARENESS for a charity, you come along and have to moan about it. Good on you for donating and don’t forget to get the tax rebate for your donations. Oh and cheers for the school boy comment about my username, you are very funny! Well done!
Ask Archie, Weymouth says...
12:33pm Mon 27 Oct 08
mikeman wrote:Mikeman,the best part of the comments section in the Echo,is testing the reactions of the local population,and reading the reactions to my comments.I really am not that bothered about the fireworks if that what people want to do.I just think that setting fire to money that the charity could make good use of is not logical
geekboy wrote:Oh dear Archie you must stop upsetting people, anybody would think you do it on purpose. You know how much fun it is setting light to money.Ask Archie wrote: Geekboy (very apt) I happen to donate sums to 2 charities on a regular basis.I donate CASH that is used directly to the cause.Is there a net gain from this event ie cash raised minus cost of fireworks? If people want a getogether then have a street party or a mass sponsered walk neither have to have money up front.Are you familiar with what happens on fireworks night? It's a night where people buy fireworks and set them off into the sky. I won’t go into the background details as to why we have fireworks because you obviously didn't learn anything while you were at school, but it only happens at a certain time of the year... or shall we have a sponsored walk to celebrate this tradition? Having an organised display is far safer than people buying their own fireworks and setting them off in the garden, so the good people of Southill decided to put on a great show for the local people, that will not only be safer but help towards making some money for a charity. People like you complain that we have no community sprit anymore and when people get together to have a good time and RAISE AWARENESS for a charity, you come along and have to moan about it. Good on you for donating and don’t forget to get the tax rebate for your donations. Oh and cheers for the school boy comment about my username, you are very funny! Well done!
Your sayYour Echo
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BRIGHT FUTURE: Stuart Barnes, managing director of Stuart Barnes Ltd, centre, Andy Hardy, manager of Coastal Computing, left, and Shane Green, manage
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terra firma, wimborne says...
11:24am Wed 22 Oct 08