Fireworks Committee Meeting Notes - 19th August
Fireworks 2026
Record of Meeting No 4 held on 19th August 2026
Present
Andy Crawley, Sean Topley, Andrew Page, Becky Hall, Sam Bennett
Apologies for absence
Jonathan Betts (holiday), Mark Fells and Neil Macer (work)
Committee
Cllr Farr and 1 other have resigned from the Firework Committee
Becky Hall has kindly agreed to do the catering for the event and has joined the committee.
The current committee comprises of Cllrs Crawley, Topley,Macer & Page, Sam Bennett, Mark Fells, Becky Hall & Jonathan Betts. all new members have been given a CFPC Terms of Reference
2025 Finances
A donation has now been received from the Sports and Social Club. The final account can now be finalised and it appears the event made a surplus. Final account to be raised.
Gratuities and Donations
a gift of appreciation to Jonathan Betts has been made
2025 Lessons Learned
Parking was discussed and following on from the last meeting, it was agreed that we publicise in advance of the event that parking is limited and ask local people not to bring cars.
Enquiries have been made with Galaxy regarding carpet lighting. They do not have this but may be willing to hire in at additional cost. It was felt that this will be too expensive and we could possibly buy additional battery-operated lighting to provide low level lighting before and after the event. It was suggested that we could utilise some solar powered lighting strings to provide some low-level lighting
AC has asked the Playing Field to delay reseeding areas of the field until after the firework event Extra lighting will be required for entrance adjacent to Police Office. Ac will purchase additional battery-operated lighting. It was agreed that we need to monitor numbers entering and therefore AC will purchase some clicker type counters for use on the entrance gates. To be bought nearer the time.
The speaker we borrowed and damaged last year is being repaired although the cost of the repair is unknown at present. We have purchased a heavy duty BOSE speaker system that Jonathan is storing. The microphone is apparently missing and a new one will need to be sourced. SB suggested that it may be possible to borrow one from the Village Hall and ST stated he thought he had spare ones at home we could use.
Additional attractions were discussed and it was agreed to book pick and mix sweets (friend of Sammi Glow sticks), as well as retaining Franco Ice Cream and Glow Sticks who have already been booked.
SB had previously raised the possibility of having an online check system for actions and progress. Following discussion, it was agreed that the minute record would suffice and there was no need
for an on line system
Discussion took place regarding switching to a system of TEAMS meetings but concluded that face to face meetings were better.
Sponsors thank you
All thank you’s have been sent and published.
Publicity
News and Views and Caythorpe Village Face book page will be utilised nearer the event. Cllr Clayton to use Face book boost function. Also use of Radio 2 event publicity
CFPC website also to be used.
SB to try and get local radio stations to run publicity.
It was agreed to canvass opinion about which causes to support from any surplus funds. Following discussion it was agreed to review this once final outcome known as there were significant financial challenges this year with the increased costs of the display. Discussion took place regarding minimum donation suggestions and AC will talk with Mark Fells about how this can best be approached.
AC stated that there should be a number of ‘Fireworks This Saturday’ signs around possibly in the pavilion. Some more signs may need to be made once the posters have been redesigned with the date of this year’s display.
SB agreed to enquire about redesign of the posters.
Date for 2026 display
It was agreed that the display will be on Saturday 7th November 2026
Fireworks provider
Galaxy have been booked and a deposit paid
Catering
It was agreed that Becky would provide hot dogs, mushy peas with mint sauce, and jacket potatoes with cheese and chilli. Additional staff to be deployed taking cash and card payments to cut queues.
The provision of mulled wine and kinder punch and also hot chocolate with alcoholic nips for sale was discussed. It was agreed that we would just offer tea, coffee and hot chocolate that the scouts can serve.
Becky enquired about helpers for the catering. AC stated that Caroline Stevenson, and a few others may be available to assist. Numbers to be confirmed nearer the time. Some older scouts may also be available.
Becky confirmed that she had all necessary catering hygiene certificates.
AC gave details of the prices for last year, which were hot dogs with onions £4.00, mushy peas and mint sauce £2.00, and Jacket potatoes with cheese and beans £4.00. Tea and coffee were £1.50. BH stated there will probably be a slight increase in these prices.
BH requested numbers of hot dogs sold last year which AC agreed to provide to her from his records.
AC stated there were two sandwich boards and at least one drinks menu board available in the loft of the pavilion for pricing displays.
SB stated that the scouts can run the hot drinks stall and also provide candy floss machine.
Volunteers
AC was confident that we can attract enough volunteers to staff the 2026 event, even though there may need to be some adjustment for the Sunday clear up and cash count to allow for Remembrance Day. SB stated that there will be a number of scouts available to help.
AC stated he had enquired with PGL if they can provide any assistance including a first aider. But had yet to receive a response. SB stated that all of the scout leaders were first aid qualified.
Credit Card Readers
It was noted that there were some failed transactions last year possibly due to lack of Wi Fi. SB stated this can be overcome by using mobile phones linked to the Sum Up card readers. BH did not anticipate any issues with her system
The Playing Field have a number of Sum Up card readers available and AC stated these should be available to borrow.
Risk Assessments
It was agreed that SB will review the RA’s from last year and amend if necessary. He will also check if there is any new legislation that we need to comply with.
Sponsorship
The following will be approached to sponsor the event:-
Mid UK (Panda) – AC Rainthorpe Transport – AC, Sam Barrell – AC, Josh Thomas – AC, Darmons Window Cleaning – AC
Woodwards Garage – ST, Spa shop – ST, Tooley Motorsports – ST, Waggon and Horses – ST, Hairdressers – ST,
GR Ward – BH, Red Lion – BH, Care Service – BH, Veg man – BH, Bread Man – BH, Ancaster Butchers – BH, Kev Bartholomew – BH,
Case – NM
In addition the following were suggested as sponsors but not specifically allocated:-
Sports and Social Club, The Generous Briton, Mobile Pizza Van,
BH suggested a poster be prepared to be displayed to encourage donations. AC agreed to do this.
Next Meetings
The next meetings were agreed for 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th September 2026 with subsequent meetings on 15th October and 4th November.