Firework displays will be in short supply this year after social distancing regulations prevented many of them from going ahead. 

This comes as a double blow for Tockwith and District Agricultural Society, which organises the event.

The annual agricultural show was cancelled in August, and this is the second year in a row the fireworks display has not gone ahead, thanks to poor weather conditions in 2019. 

Norman Waller, who represents Marston Moor on Harrogate Borough Council, said: 

“Unfortunately because of safety issues and our inability to organise refreshments or catering, there will be no bonfire and firework display. Obviously we are devastated, as in normal times it is a key fundraiser to help with cash flow for the staging of the show.

This combined with the cancellation of other fundraising events this year [means] we forecast that potentially we have lost income in the region of £8,000.” 

Meanwhile, the annual Harrogate Charity Stray Bonfire has already postponed its 50th anniversary bonfire until 2021. Now many other organisers in the district are following suit. 

The Stray Ferret spoke to groups that have previously organised an annual fireworks display, and nine organisers have confirmed that due to coronavirus they have cancelled this year’s display. We could not find any which were still expecting to go ahead.

Among the firework displays to be cancelled are those at Bilton Cricket Club, Lightwater Valley, Scotton Cricket Club and Stockeld Park. 

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Fireworks displays in the Harrogate district may have been cancelled this year but a local vet and the RSPCA have warned it could still be the worst period for pets in decades.

The absence of large organised events is expected to lead to an increase in backyard firework displays, bringing noise much closer to pets at home. 

Katy Bell, a vet at the Rae, Bean & Partners practice in Boroughbridge told the Stray Ferret: 

“A big display will be organised on a certain date, at a certain time, so pet owners can be prepared for that event.

“However, if home-organised events can be a lot more spread out over an evening, and have a bigger negative impact on the animal.” 

Ms Bell encourages worried pet owners to start preparing now: she advised playing firework training CDs to pets in the run-up to November 5, starting at a low volume and increasing as necessary. 

On Bonfire Night itself, Ms Bell recommends not leaving your pet alone, and ensuring it has somewhere safe and dark to hide.

A RSPCA spokesperson said this fireworks season could be the worst for animals in decades. 

The charity advised pet owners to close windows and curtains to muffle noise, and bring smaller pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs inside.

Around 62% of dogs and 54% of cats in the UK show signs of anxiety when they hear fireworks, according to the RSPCA. 

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Fire services’ advice

Station manager Tony Peel, from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said bonfire night was usually a quiet one for fire services in the county “and we’d love it to be the same this year”. He added:

“Please follow our safety tips if you are planning a display at home and help reduce the pressure not only on the fire service, but also on our colleagues in the ambulance service and police.

“Some people and animals are scared by firework noise so if you’re planning to let off fireworks please tell your neighbours and avoid buying really noisy ones.”

Mr Peel said anyone planning a home display should ensure it finishes before 11pm, always light the firework at arms length and only buy fireworks that carry the CE mark.