by Rebecca Hannant
A successful fireworks display was held in Withernsea at the weekend despite fears it would not go ahead because of an initial shortfall of funds.
On Sunday, November 3, Withernsea held its first community-organised public fireworks display in years after a group of residents came together to organise it.
Mike Hadley teamed up with his friends Johnathan Monkman, Nindy Singh Gill and Dan Megson to organise the event, which previously took place among friends and family on private land.
However, Mike, who is applying to study an events management degree and is also a trained firework operator, wanted to turn it into a public event for the whole community. He said: “We normally do a firework display for friends and family on private land.
“There was one that was always provided by the Withernsea Residents Community Group before they disbanded. I was part of the professional fireworks team that provided the display, but unfortunately we parted ways, and it became a lost tradition. Later, a group of like-minded people and friends got together to put on private parties which included fireworks displays. They just got bigger and bigger.”
Mike wanted to see the return of an official public fireworks display and set about fundraising to make it happen. He placed donation buckets around Tesco and asked for funds from the community. Despite receiving large donations from the public, just days before the event there was not enough money to cover the insurance needed, and it looked like it would have to remain private.
But then at the 11th hour, more donations began to come in, and the team were able to afford the insurance. Meanwhile, Mike was supported by Johnathan Monkman and Shop ‘N’ Save owner Nindy Singh Gill who got together to complete the necessary paperwork to ensure the event could go ahead in Valley Gardens. Nindy was also able to source more fireworks from a family member.
Nindy said: “I wanted to do fireworks for the community and have a display this year so bought some top-quality fireworks from a family member’s fireworks business. It was all kind of last minute as at first – we thought we wouldn’t get permission.
“At first it wasn’t going to happen, but people didn’t want this, so they started sending donations. Remaining costs were then covered by the team.”
On Sunday, November 3, the display went ahead in Valley Gardens wowing people from Withernsea and beyond. Mike added: “Everything was very stressful, but we managed to pull it off in the end. Charitable donations we received late in the day meant we were able to insure the display three days before it went ahead. It has taken two months of a painstaking process of speaking with my firework stockists and getting the best prices.
“Then we had to get it all bundled together in a short space of time – people don’t realise the actual work behind putting something that beautiful up in the air. The comments we have received have been mind-blowing – people were making video calls to America and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, people travelled from Hull, Goole and Doncaster, which makes it even more special. I already can’t wait for next year.”
Nindy added: “I already knew the display was going to go well. I was happier seeing how many people turned out, all the positive comments, the big smiles on kids’ faces. It was so worth it! Next year we hope to make a day out of it with food stalls and drinks.
“Hopefully more businesses can back the event so it can be even better. We would like to apologise if we upset anyone or anyone’s pets. We just did it for the people of Withernsea.”
📸 Jason Lee Photography
