Low attendance at Lions Club of Rutland’s fireworks display

Organisers of a fireworks display were disappointed with this year’s turnout.

The Lions Club of Rutland usually hosts its bonfire night celebration at the Rutland Showground in Oakham on a Saturday evening.

This year it clashed with a five-day visit from the James Richards Circus and the club had to reschedule.

The change in date - combined with the cost-of-living crisis and the event clashing with Halloween led to a huge drop in attendance - from around 4,000 people to 1,500. As a result the event only raised around £1,000 for local good causes. As its peak it has taken £13,000.

Event director Allan Grey said: “Everything at the event went off perfectly and the majority of feedback we’ve received has been positive, but the crowd was about half the size we would have hoped for which means we haven’t raised as much money this year.”

Allan thanked the Showground owners for their support of the charitable event.

Spectators enjoyed two displays during the night - a quieter one for children followed by a 10-minute spectacular.

Dates for next year’s event are still to be confirmed.