Barnstaple Round Table Fireworks returns this weekend

The biggest firework display in North Devon returns this weekend to raise money for a much-needed maternity charity – and organisers have urged the community to support it.

Barnstaple Round Table Fireworks is back at Barnstaple Rugby Club in Mill Road on Sunday, November 1 with gates open from 5.30pm.

This year the event will be supporting SNUG, a South West charity which offers advocacy and support to families who have been impacted upon by difficult pregnancy, birth or neonatal stress.

Because of the closure of the maternity service at the North Devon District Hospital the support the charity provides is more important than ever to all expectant mums across the area.

Barnstaple and District Round Table has lowered ticket prices this year to encourage more people to go along and support a worthy and very topical good cause, but have also urged people to attend in person.

They have also warned with ticket sales, it may not be possible to hold the event again in future years.

Aaron Jackson, Barnstaple Round Table chair, said: “From the feedback from last year’s event we have lowered the ticket prices to encourage more people to come through the gates and watch the event from the rugby club instead of elsewhere in the town.

“Unfortunately, the costs of running an event of this size keep going up especially for the fireworks through to the security, if we don’t get the support from the local community in buying a ticket then in future years it will be more difficult to put this event on and it might have to finish.”

The display normally attracts more than 6,000 people, with hot and cold refreshments are provided by Barnstaple Rugby Club and The Voice radio provides public address and music for the event.

Organisers say it is the largest public firework display in North Devon and Barnstaple Round Table has been staging it for more than 50 years to raise money for charity.

Aaron added: “It would be very difficult to put on an event of this size without the commitment and support from Barnstaple Round Table members and other neighbouring clubs from Bideford, Ilfracombe and Okehampton who come and support us.

“A big thank goes to Barnstaple Rugby Club and the Two Tiger fireworks display who always put on a great event. This year we would like to thank Howards Motor Group who have built a strong presence in both Barnstaple and North Devon since taking over the Kia franchise last year and we look forward to working with Howards over the coming years.

“We are always on the lookout for other businesses across North Devon to help and support this premier event.”

Since the event began it has raised thousands of pounds for good causes such as Devon Air Ambulance, North Devon Hospice, the Stroke Association, Children’s Hospice South West, Families in Grief, Encompass Southwest and Northern Devon Foodbank, to name just a few.

Early bird tickets costing £6.50 for children and £7.50 for adults, or £20 for a family of two adults and two children, are available now via the Barnstaple Round Table Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BarnstapleRoundtable

Any men aged between 18 and 45 who would like to join Barnstaple Round Table or find out more are welcome to email [email protected]