Cash shortage puts big bonfire night in jeopardy

After a series of funding losses combined with poor fundraising efforts this year, secretary of the Littlehampton Bonfire Society, Richard Cooper has said that the traditional bonfire night is now 'in serious doubt financially' and is appealing to the public to ensure the event continues.

Said Mr Cooper: "We have lost one major event we have attended with fundraising stalls for many years and there was poor weather at others including a complete washout on the second day of the Littlehampton Seafront Festival.

"Attempts to secure additional funding have sadly been unsuccessful and losses in recent years have also eaten into our reserves."

The main aim of the event is to raise money for local good causes with its street collections. A record 8,141 was raised last year which was given to Arundel and District guides for their new headquarters.

The cost of staging the event has risen steeply over the last five years mainly due to ever-increasing costs for crowd safety and insurance.

Funding for these needs to be raised before bands or firework displays can be booked.

Full story in West Sussex Gazette, September 22