MELROSE Community Councillors are warning that the town’s Hogmanay firework display may fizzle out, unless more volunteers can be found.

Each year the spectacle is run by community members and is set to take place again this year as planned. But for the event to continue the community council is asking for volunteer stewards, to help manage the display, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

William Windram, Provost of Melrose, said: “The Community Council have been running the annual Hogmanay fireworks for the last 16 years and it has become a major event for the Scottish Borders. The event is entirely managed by volunteers and it is often difficult to attract volunteers to support the event at this time of year. At present this year looks like it will be the last unless new volunteers come forward.

“The Community Council is required to steward the event and help manage the many thousands of people who attend. It would be a great pity for the fireworks to come to an end, so I am making an appeal to the whole community in the hope that volunteers will come forward.”

At the Melrose and District community council meeting last Thursday, community councillors were concerned by the number of helpers and said the event had become so successful, it would be a shame to have to put an end to it.

Councillor David Parker added: “The Community Council and their volunteer team have done a tremendous job in running and managing the Melrose Hogmanay fireworks each year. 

“The Community Council does receive support from Police Scotland and Scottish Borders Council to help run the event but volunteer effort is essential if the event is to run safely. 

“If people are interested in supporting the Community Council it would give a major boost to the event’s future.”

The fireworks are managed and released by a team from the Ship Inn, so the volunteer effort is to help support the on-street activity and manage the safety of the crowd. 

If you would be interested in offering to be a volunteer you can contact William Windram by telephone or email: 01896 822542 or windram.waverley@virgin.net