Passing Comment – A big charity Bonfire Night can say so much about Barry
By Sue Vincent Jones
SO, our Barry Bonfire Night event looks likely to be canned from our ever-emptying community calendar as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
With about two weeks to go, absolutely zero plans have been put in place for our annual Fireworks Fiesta, the hot happening in our town since the early 70’s.
Who doesn’t remember those smoky nights back in the day as we all trooped over Romilly Park to bask in the big bonfire glow, shake our sparklers, and pick up a real cheeky cheese burger from the sizzling stalls?
Today, although we may no longer be able to marvel at that massive mound of wood with Guy perched precariously on top, the Firework Fiesta still proves popular. After a short stint at the Knap, in recent years the streets were packed and the roads rammed as residents headed to Barry Island. Hordes of families see the night as a crucial date in our town’s community calendar which brings us all together.
Not this year though. Not even on Halloween like the 2022 mix-up that caused chaos with clashed events but still gave us something to celebrate.
Truth be told, I’m not even sure if there is a sponsor set up. For years the organisers were the brilliant Barry Rotary Club, with last year’s event funded by the Caerphilly-based Chemical Corporation.
Word on the street is that, as always, it’s lack of cold hard cash causing a drop in donations that has created the crisis. Traditional bucket collections full of small-change smash has left a short fall in the funds as hard-hit residents struggle to cough up the notes needed to cover costs. And the poor level of donations post-pandemic has hit the free event funds hard.
I feel this pain, and totally get that the cost of living crisis is real. But even a pound per person in the Bonfire Night bucket once a year could cover the display cost and still leave some cash for charity.
To be honest, I’ve always seen these free event collections as a chance to give something back. And I’m more than happy to part with my hard-earned coin to help keep our community calendar packed. I still miss Grease on the Beach and the Isle of Fire.
Just think about it, some dedicated soul has pulled people together, organised the entertainment, laid on the logistics, and sorted security so we can have a night out for nuppence. In my view, the least we can do is put at least a quid in the bucket. Surely we want to see the big Bonfire Night Out – and other free community events continue.
Team Barry has always shown a great generosity of spirit so let’s hope we can turn this into cold hard cash in the future.
What do you think?
By Sue Vincent Jones
- The views expressed by columnists of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Glamorgan Star, its employees or its proprietors
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