Sadly Beech Village Hall’s usual annual bonfire and fireworks event cannot take place this year for pandemic reasons. Many thanks to all of you who have contacted us about our ‘Plan B’ proposal to hold a synchronised firework event across the whole village. Over the past week we heard from a total of 40 households and a very wide range of views were expressed. The majority of them were in favour of going ahead, by a ratio of 2:1.
However, both the Village Hall’s Social and Management Committees felt that those against represent a very significant minority of our villagers, some of whom were extremely upset by this proposal. We have therefore decided to cancel our annual village event in full this year. We recognise that this decision will create disappointment for many of you, and we are sorry for that. The Village Hall’s stock of fireworks will remain in safe storage for the time being. Some of you have offered donations to help compensate for the lost revenue to the Hall this year, and they will of course be most welcome! See below for details.
We should repeat here the advice we received from Hampshire County Council, that those who decide to hold a private firework party next week, ‘must adhere to government guidance around gathering and social distancing’, and you are ‘encouraged to watch firework displays virtually wherever possible’.
In addition, we appeal to you to talk to your neighbours if you intend to set off your own fireworks, to avoid any distress.
We hope you are all able to enjoy Spooky Week and Bonfire Night with your families!
Please email beechvillagehall@gmail.com to say you wish to make a donation and to confirm our bank details if you don’t already have them. It will also be helpful to have your name and address, so we can get you a Gift Aid form to increase the value of your donation for the Village Hall. Cheques and cash donations will also be welcomed!