GENEROUS sponsorship from Stobo Castle ensured that this year's Peebles Fireworks Display was bigger and brighter than ever.

Organisers had been concerned that high winds might curtail a night that has become a landmark event in the region, but on the night everything went smoothly.

David Innes is Chair of the Peebles Round Table. They organise the annual bonfire and fireworks display, escort Santa and his sleigh around Peeblesshire each Christmas and fun raise for local causes.

Speaking to the Peebleshire News, he said: “The forecast was for 50 mile an hour winds, and if that had occurred, we wouldn't have been able to go ahead. It was bucketing it down the entire day when we were setting up, but by 5pm came it cleared and it was the perfect night.”

He also paid tribute to Stobo Castle, who agreed a three year sponsorship deal worth £10,000 last year to guarantee the future of the event.

“Stobo Castle sponsoring us makes a big difference. Previously we had to use part of the proceeds to pay for next year's fireworks, but we don't need to do that now. That means that all the money we collect on the night can be made available to good causes.”

David and other members of the group are encouraged by the response so far to this year's display.

He said: “We're are always very interested in feedback. We check social media and the letters pages of the local newspapers and there doesn't seem to be any negative responses.

“It was a bigger event this year, and a bit nosier, so we were half expecting some criticism. But the response has been overwhelmingly positive. From speaking to the fire brigade, they are certainly happier with one main event in the region, as opposed to loads of smaller displays. There are a couple of guys in the Round Table who are professionally acreddited fireworks technicians, so this is a professional level display.

This year, it was good to have music added to the event, and I think we can probably improve on the whole night next year and make it bigger still.

The focus for the Round Table will now be on how they distribute the funds to worthy causes across the region. “After the Santa Sleigh Ride, we will have a much better idea,” said David.

“We will take the funding we have generated from a number of events this year. We are considering what causes we are going to support, so that is something ongoing. We are just at the point of considering applications, so there is there is still time. If your readers have something they want us to support, please get in touch."

Jenni Watts, Marketing Director at Stobo Castle said: “Stobo Castle would like to publicly thank the Round Table for the huge effort they make every year, on a voluntary basis, to produce such a fantastic event for the people of Peebles and the surrounding area. We’re already looking forward to next year’s display.”

You can contact the Peebles Round Table on: chairman@peeblesroundtable.co.uk