Disappointment as firework display is cancelled

Last night, Nuneaton’s Christmas light switch-on event went with a sparkle but not a bang when the firework contractor suffered a major technical fault.

Right on schedule at 5pm, the Mayor and Santa switched on the lights but unfortunately the firework display did not follow as planned.

Ben McKay, the Contractor, apologised for the system fault, which resulted in the firework display being cancelled. He said:

"We want to apologise to the Mayor and the people of Nuneaton for failing to provide a fireworks display for the Christmas lights switch-on due to the last minute technical failure of our firing system.

We do not know what caused the technical failure, but the system performed perfectly the night before when it fired Bedworth's Christmas Lights fireworks display, as it has controlled numerous displays over the past few years.

The Fireone system is a very reliable and robust system used throughout the world to control major fireworks displays. Without the using such an advanced firing control system, fireworks displays from Nuneaton Town Hall roof and Bedworth town centre would not be possible .

Fireone provides us with advanced safety control features that have enabled us to deliver the safe and spectacular displays for Nuneaton and Bedworth Christmas Lights over the past four years.

Our investigations into why the system failed on this occasion are ongoing, and we are fully committed to working the Council until we acheive a satisfactory outcome for the people of Nuneaton"

The Council worked with the Company throughout the day to ensure that everything was functioning as it should; the tests showed no faults or errors to suggest there would be any problems with the display.

Cllr Dennis Harvey, Leader of the Council said:

“I am really disappointed for those who turned out to enjoy the fireworks; this is a major event and we’ve been let down; I am personally taking this matter up with our supplier.

“At this point in time, we need to sit down and talk about what happened so that we can better understand how things went wrong.

“I understand that the company responsible for the fireworks is investigating and keen to explore options to make up for the failure of last night’s display. We will discuss the matter with them over the forthcoming weeks.

“Obviously, this incident was totally unexpected and I understand that we live in a technical age where these problems sometimes occur; however, I share the frustration of those that attended our event, I too was really looking forward to the fireworks.

“Except for the absence of the firework display, the light switch-on event was very successful with the town centre entertainment and street food drawing large crowds. The lights throughout the town look beautiful, especially those on the Christmas tree.

“It is such a shame that we didn’t get to enjoy our usual firework display and I share the disappointment of all who attended.”