News - 2014

09:00 Thursday 13 Jun 2013 Michelle WarnerThe Return of the 'Counting' Fireworks at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2013

The popular Cowes fireworks display has taken place on the final Friday of Cowes Week since the very earliest days of the regatta and is viewed by many as an intrinsic part of the onshore festivities.

Cowes Fireworks Committee was formed twelve months ago to ensure the future success of the display and to secure funding for the fireworks by working with all those who enjoy or benefit from the display. To ensure the best possible fireworks display is provided, the Committee - in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council - recently undertook a comprehensive review of potential fireworks providers and is delighted to confirm that Pains Fireworks will be back at the helm this year.

With roots in the east end of London dating back to the late fourteenth Century, Pains is proud to be the longest established firework display company in the UK.  The original family business was renowned for making and selling gunpowder and it would seem that Pains has been remembering the 5th of November for longer than any other firework business in the world.

Pains have a long heritage with the Cowes fireworks display and the first recorded link to the regatta in the Pains Fireworks ledgers is August 1862. The connection between the two organisations spans 140 years and the company is therefore delighted to have been re-appointed after a break of a decade, during which time they’ve been formulating plenty of plans from the sidelines and are all set to put on a spectacular display this year.

2013 will see the return of the counting fireworks and this year’s display will be given a dramatic Big Blast Off! Commenting on what people can expect from this year’s display, David Alvis, of Pains Fireworks, said: “For those that remember the Cowes displays of old, there remains the lasting memory of the whole audience loudly counting along with a special series of fireworks; the “counting fireworks of Cowes” are still talked about even today. With the return of Pains to Cowes, we think this is the year to bring this participation back to the display. It isn’t anything more than just a great bit of fun. Half way through the display everything will stop and with the help of a little prompting over the PA system everyone will be encouraged to join in and become, uniquely, part of the show. Furthermore to add to the theme of participation, we also want all those watching the display from boats to join in with the start of the display; the Big Blast Off.

Many have already given generously to the fireworks fundraising campaign, with thanks in particular to platinum level fireworks supporters Aberdeen Asset Management,  Cowes Week Limited, Cowes Town Waterfront Trust, and Artemis Investment Management; gold level fireworks supporters the Island Sailing Club, the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, the Royal London Yacht Club, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron, the Royal Thames Yacht Club, Red Funnel Ferries, Blue Funnel Ferries, Solent & Wightline Cruises, Cowes Business Association, Cowes Harbour Commission and the Isle of Wight County Press; silver level fireworks supporters Cowes Town Regatta, Cowes Town Council, Next Generation Results, Taylor Events, Spinlock, the sailing yacht Leopard; as well as bronze level support from many of the individual businesses in Cowes and private donors. In addition, the Isle of Wight Council provide a huge amount of support for the fireworks, without which the display could not take place.

Thanks to the donations received to date, the fireworks fundraising effort is in good shape, but anyone who will enjoy the display this August is encouraged to make a contribution; every little helps. Speaking on behalf of Cowes Town Waterfront Trust, a founding member of Cowes Fireworks Committee, Jon Pridham said: “We’re pleased with the momentum we’ve managed to build over the last 12 months with Cowes Fireworks Committee in our efforts to build a long-term, sustainable funding model for the historic fireworks display. It’s vital that we have the support of those who benefit from or enjoy the display and I’d urge anyone who has yet to make a contribution to step forward. Donations of any size make a big difference.”

Donations can be made safely and securely via Paypal or contact Michelle Warner (michelle.warner@aamcowesweek.co.uk) for details on other ways of making a donation.

Aberdeen Asset Management is back to its traditional dates in 2013 and takes place 3 – 10 August. The spectacular fireworks extravaganza will be held on Friday 9 August at 9.30pm.