UNFORTUNATELY I have had to come to the decision not to stage Abingdon’s Firework display this year, at Dalton Barracks/Abingdon Airfield.

There are a number of reasons for this decision, which I have thought long and hard about.

The state of the economy has meant that all costs involved in putting on this large event have increased dramatically, and I’m not sure that there would be enough people attending to cover them, as the public’s disposable income for entertainment has been restricted.

If I could guarantee ticket sales, then it would not be such a risk, but as I know from past experience people will not buy tickets in any volume before the event.

Many feel they should watch a large public display of fireworks for free and each year there are more people who drive along the runway as far as the ticket gate and stop there to watch it rather than pay, or will park along the roads outside!

I also had another battle with a fairground operator last year. It is always an uphill struggle to even get them to commit to attending, and you never know until lunchtime on the actual day whether they are going to show up or let you down.

Last year less than half what was promised turned up, and then I had a long drawn out court case to recoup the money that was owed to me.

I also had an unexpected bill several months after the event, from The Performing Rights Society. Even though I had only had snippets of music to accompany the fireworks, and a large proportion of the audience was made up of children that were admitted for free, I was charged a fee worked out on the total headcount.

I also feel that the Town Council were never supportive of this event. In the last few years I have not been able to advertise the date of the event by putting up any signs or banners. A few years ago they actually went round taking all my signs down.

I would like to thank all the people who have supported this event over the years, and especially my helpers who came back year after year to assist me in making this a fantastic event.

My apologies to those that will miss it, but who knows, I may bring it back next year, if the economic climate picks up and I feel that Abingdon wants or needs it again.

Julian Annells, Dearlove Close, Abingdon