Kirkwall annual bonfire to be held on 2 November

The Rotary Club of Orkney and the Kirkwall & St. Ola Community Council would like to welcome everyone to attend the Annual Kirkwall Community Bonfire & Fireworks Display on Saturday 2nd November 2024 at the Peedie Sea. 

Chair of the community council, Tom Rendall, and the Rotary Club’s senior vice president, Keith Foubister will light the bonfire at 7pm. The Kirkwall City Pipe Band will play in the lead up to the fire being lit and the fireworks starting. The 15-minute fireworks display will begin at 7.15pm from the skatepark. 

Rotary Club members and helpers will be on duty as well as selling novelties and accepting donations towards the event, with any profits going to local charities. 

This year’s event will trial the use of quieter fireworks and a smaller bonfire alongside a number of other measures following recommendations from animal welfare charities. As part of preparations, a site visit with animal welfare charities also took place earlier this month. 

Tom Rendall said: “The Kirkwall Community Bonfire & Fireworks Display is held every year and one which sees Orcadians of all ages come together and enjoy a wonderful show in the night’s sky. 

“We are indebted to the Rotary Club of Orkney for their immense support in organising this event on behalf of the community council and the local community. We also thank William Shearer, Members of the Fireworks team, the Fire Brigade, the Council, First Aiders, and the Pipe Band for all their help and to community councils across Orkney who have donated towards this display.  

“During these darker months of the year, events like this encourage folk to get out and about in the evenings, to socialise, and have experiences to share with friends and family, particularly children. 

“It’s also an opportunity to raise money for charity, as any profits from the event will go to local causes, so any donations will be gratefully received. 

“We are taking extra measures this year following consultation with animal welfare charities, including quieter fireworks, which I am positive will make the show in the sky no less entertaining, and so I ask local folk to come to this community event rather than having their own displays.”