Harrogate Town Council agrees donation towards Stray bonfireStray bonfire to return despite fears over future last yearSaturday’s Stray bonfire may be last, say organisers

The organisers of the annual bonfire on the Stray in Harrogate have warned that last Saturday’s event could be the last.

Harrogate Round Table has organised the town’s main bonfire for 52 years.

But the charity said today it was struggling to cover the costs and there was a question mark over whether it would be held next year.

In a statement expressing its “heartfelt appreciation” to those who attended Saturday’s event, despite wet weather, the round table said:

“The cost of holding this wonderful community event has risen dramatically over the last three years in line with inflation and the dramatic cost of living that we are all feeling.

“We are still processing payments and accumulating this year’s totals, but at this stage we can see that it is unlikely we will meet previous totals raised and may well struggle to cover the cost of the event. This brings into question the viability of future bonfire events.

“The annual Harrogate charity Stray bonfire night has been a cherished tradition, bringing our community together for the past 52 years. However, due to the increased expenses and risks involved in its planning, we are faced with the unfortunate possibility that this may be the last Harrogate charity Stray bonfire night that Harrogate Round Table hosts, if we do not receive the necessary financial support.”

The statement appealed for donations to “ensure the continuity of this treasured tradition”.

A GoFundMe campaign with a £5,000 has currently generated less than £2,000. You can donate here.

The round table said:

“Your generosity will directly impact our ability to continue hosting these events for everyone to enjoy.

“The Harrogate Round Table team firmly believes in the power of community, and with your support, we can overcome the current challenges and continue to provide memorable experiences for all. Please join us in preserving this wonderful tradition for future generations.”

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Details of Stray bonfire and fireworks revealed

The organisers of Harrogate‘s annual bonfire and fireworks on the Stray have released further details about this year’s event.

The event, which is organised by Harrogate and District Round Table, will return on Saturday, November 4, for its 52nd year.

The bonfire will be lit on the Oatlands Stray near to St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

It will take place from 5pm until 8.30pm and include fireworks and live music.

The event is free to attend but the round table, which is a charity, will raise funds for Harrogate Homeless Project.

Ut has set up a GoFundMe page and urged people to text BONFIRE to 70560 to donate £5.

Matthew Firth, who has helped to set up the event, said:

“It is important that we help end homelessness on the streets of Harrogate. 

“Especially going into wintertime when the mercury regularly drops below freezing and these poor people, often through no fault of their own, end up on the streets.”

Visitors on the night will be able to buy burgers, sausages, hotdogs and vegetarian options served by local scout groups.

Vintage Event Bars will run a licensed bar at the event, serving a selection of alcohol. Soft and hot drinks will also be available.

Toilets will be available on site.

Live performances will be held on the pop-up stage throughout the night — with Three Strikes Band already confirmed — and more to be announced.

Organisers have asked people not to bring sparklers to the event for safety reasons.

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Harrogate bonfire to return to the Stray this year

The organisers of the Harrogate bonfire have confirmed it will return to the Stray this year.

Harrogate and District Round Table said a traditional bonfire and fireworks display will be on offer at the event on November 4.

Visitors can look forward to live performances on the pop-up stage throughout the night — with Three Strikes Band already confirmed — and more to be announced.

There will also be a range food options, including traditional burgers and hotdogs, as well as a bar serving alcohol and soft drinks.

Organisers will be raising money for Harrogate Homeless Project for a second year running.

Matthew Firth, one of the Harrogate Round Table team, said they chose to fundraise for the homelessness charity again this year “because it is a great charity” and praised it for its efforts to end rough sleeping in the town.

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Last year, the organisers decided against holding a bonfire at the event due to costs and logistics but reversed the decision just weeks before Bonfire Night.

It reportedly costs over £13,000 to put on, with £5,000 spent on fireworks alone.

The schedule

The Harrogate Bonfire will take place on Saturday, November 4.

It will open at 4.30pm and entertainment will begin at 5pm.

The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and fireworks will follow at around 7.15pm.

Organisers expect the event to end at 8.30pm.

The event is free to attend and will be held on the Stray, near St Aidan’s Church of England High School.

Stray bonfire and fireworks hailed a success after big turnout

The organisers of Saturday’s Stray bonfire and fireworks have announced they have raised a minimum of £4,061 for Harrogate Homeless Project.

An estimated 10,000 people attended the event, which included a bonfire after Harrogate and District Round Table initially decided against the idea.

Andy Rickard, one of the volunteers at the Round Table, said the event had exceeded expectations by generating around £20,000.

He said when the costs of staging the event were deducted it left £4,061.

Picture by Mark Dimmock

Donations are still open, with the Round Table pledging to match fund up to £1,000.

The volunteer-run event, which is now in its 51st year, is funded entirely by donations and sponsorship.

Mr Rickard said he was concerned before the night that the gofundme appeal had only raised about half as much as last year.

But better-than-expected cash and card payments on the night, along with sponsorship funds and percentage takings from the food, bar and face painting stalls boosted the total. He said

“We do try to develop the event every year and are pleased with the addition of a licensed bar which proved very popular, we also hope that the provision of toilets was appreciated.

“We’ve already started reviewing what we could improve and welcome feedback. We did look at replacing the bonfire with a funfair based on the feedback survey from last year so would encourage people to give us their thoughts as we start planning next year.”

Stray bonfire and fireworks

Picture by Mark Dimmock

Francis McAllister, chief executive of Harrogate Homeless Project, said the Round Table’s support would “make a huge difference to our clients”, adding:

“It was a fantastic event, well organised and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”

A survey to gather people’s views on the event can be completed here.

Donations can still be pledged here.

Harrogate bonfire is back on!

The organisers of Harrogate’s annual Stray fireworks announced tonight that this year’s event will include a bonfire after all.

Harrogate and District Round Table revealed last month that it had decided not to hold a bonfire at this year’s volunteer-run event on Saturday, November 5 because of the costs and logistics.

But the organisation has now said it has reversed the decision.

Andy Rickard, from the Round Table, said:

“Due to the cancellation of six bonfire and fireworks displays run by neighbouring Leeds City Council, we have taken the decision to reinstate the annual bonfire alongside the fireworks and live entertainment on the Stray this November.

“Unlike other council-run fireworks displays, our event is made possible by volunteers and the generosity of local residents, businesses and visitors to our town.

“This year we are on a mission to raise £10,000, with all proceeds going to Harrogate Homeless Project which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary.”

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Francis McAllister, chief executive of Harrogate Homeless Project, said

“The Stray fireworks will be a cornerstone event in the charity’s 30th anniversary calendar.

“The money raised from the event will help us deliver more support, serve more hot meals and help more people into accommodation.”

The night’s schedule

In addition to the bonfire and fireworks display, there will be a licensed bar, food stalls, face-painting and family-friendly entertainment on stage.

The schedule is:

For safety reasons visitors are advised not to bring sparklers, but light-up toys will be available for sale by volunteers from Pannal Primary PTA and Harrogate Gymnastics inside the event area.

The Round Table also said attendees should be aware any street-sellers outside of the Stray are not affiliated with them and do not make any contribution to the event costs or its charities.

The fireworks are held on the Stray alongside Oatlands Drive, and will include 1,400 shots and over 250 mortar shells all provided by Ferrensby Fireworks, a local company with over 30 years experience.

There is no parking in the immediate vicinity.

Entry is free but a collection will be held throughout the evening.

Event costs are paid for out of charitable funds and the entertainment is run entirely by volunteers.

After event costs have been covered the net proceeds will be donated to Harrogate Homeless Project.

You can make a donate here.

 

 

 

Stray bonfire raises record-breaking £6,500 for charity

The 50th Stray bonfire and fireworks on Saturday night raised a record-breaking £6,568.42 for charity, organisers have announced.

Harrogate RoundTable, a group of local men aged 18-45 who organise charity and community events, will donate the proceeds to Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

If anyone missed the chance to donate, a GoFundMe is still open.

John Carter of Harrogate RoundTable said:

“Harrogate RoundTable would like to thank everyone who came along to enjoy the bonfire and fireworks display on the Stray. It’s the 50th year that we’ve put on the event and it was a fantastic night!

“As always the event was free for everyone to attend, however, we’d like to thank the Harrogate public for their generous donations to raise funds for this year’s charity The Friends of Harrogate Hospital. We also want to thank all the volunteers for their hard work over the whole weekend.”

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Harrogate RoundTable is also asking attendees and the wider Harrogate public for their views on how to take the event forward in future years.

An online survey has been created which can be accessed here.

 

Stray bonfire and fireworks officially given go-ahead

The 50th Stray bonfire will take place on November 6 after Harrogate Borough Council gave organisers the green light.

The Stray Ferret revealed last month the event was set to go ahead. Now the news has been confirmed.

Harrogate District Round Table was forced to cancel last year’s display due to coronavirus restrictions but it is now preparing for the event to return at its usual spot alongside Oatlands Drive.

Round Table volunteers hope to raise £8,000 to pay for fireworks and additional costs, such as first aid and traffic management, and have set up a gofundme page.

Any extra money generated though the fundraiser, and on the night, will go to Friends of Harrogate Hospital.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District Round Table said:

“This will be the 50th year Harrogate Round Table has run the Stray charity bonfire and fireworks event and, with your help, we want to run an amazing event the whole community can enjoy.”

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