Bradley Stoke’s hugely popular annual FREE fireworks display returns with a musical twist this Sunday (5th November 2023).
After a trial ‘low noise’ display in 2021, which received mixed reviews, the event reverted to using traditional (loud) fireworks last year.
This year’s event will once again be in the traditional format. Furthermore, following suggestions from members of the public, it will be accompanied by music broadcast from a beefed-up sound system comprising around 18 speaker cabinets.
Organised by Bradley Stoke Town Council, the event takes place at the Jubilee Centre, Savages Wood Road [BS32 8HL, map].
Gates open at 4.30pm with hot food served from 4.45pm. The display itself starts at 6pm.
No alcohol is allowed on site and sparklers are also forbidden.
Disabled parking is available on site; please arrive by 5.15pm. Other than this, there is no parking available at or near the Jubilee Centre.
A road closure will be in force on the section of Savages Wood Road west of Manor Farm Roundabout (on Brook Way).
Visitors are asked to park in the nearby Willow Brook shopping centre car park and walk to the event [see map for parking location and walking route].
There will be a ‘bucket’ collection for the mayor’s charities, which this year are Prostate Cancer UK, The Brightwell and Mamas Bristol.
Cashless donations
Following a disappointing drop in the amount collected via the buckets in recent years, which councillors put down to people carrying less cash, those attending this year’s event will be able to make donations using Apple Pay, Google Pay or credit/debit card.
This can be achieved by using a mobile phone to scan (photograph) a QR code displayed on the official collection buckets and on posters around the event site. Clicking on the link presented after scanning will take you to a secure payment webpage hosted by SumUp.
Event budget
To cover the additional costs of providing a musical accompaniment, charged by both the fireworks company and the sound system provider, the budget for the 2023 event has been increased by £2,000 to £11,500.
Around £6,700 of this amount will go to the fireworks company and sound system provider, with the remainder covering security staff, fencing hire, first aid and skip hire.
Other local displays
For details of other local displays in Almondsbury, Stoke Gifford, Patchway, Thornbury and Downend, visit the Journal’s Fireworks Displays page.
What did you think of the 2023 ‘fireworks with music’ display? You can leave a comment here or on this Facebook post.