Planning, SSPCA concerns and future events have all been addressed.
Following the sudden cancellation of Kilmarnock’s fireworks festival, the Kilmarnock Standard asked East Ayrshire Leisure bosses to address issues and concerns surrounding the event.
While thousands attended the first Fawkes Festival a week ago, some members of the public and the SSPCA raised huge concerns about the event.
Such was the outcry that organisers axed the event after they claimed threats were made to staff.
Now points surrounding animal welfare, preparation for the event, SSPCA concerns and future events have all been addressed.
Eight key questions on fireworks fiasco
Kilmarnock Standard (KS): When did East Ayrshire Leisure become aware of threats that were made to staff?
East Ayrshire Leisure (EAL): On the lead up Tuesday’s event
KS: How many threats were received or made and what was the nature of the threats?
EAL: This is currently under investigation and we are unable to comment
KS: Did East Ayrshire Leisure or the organisers consult with any animal welfare groups/organisations or experts before the festival took place?
EAL: Yes. Sound and noise levels of the display were reduced and livestock staff were on hand to monitor the animals for levels of distress, with call-off measures in place if required.
KS: Paul Mathieson reportedly said that the nature of the display meant that fireworks started off quieter and got louder so that deer could be ‘desensitised’ to the noise. Is that the case? And was this method based on any advice from any animal experts?
EAL: This is not verbatim what was said. Shows are designed by the experienced firework company to reflect this sensitive environment, starting low altitude low noise, and building the display up over time, and capping the size of product. This considered and deliberate approach has been demonstrated to be very effective
The fireworks providers are members of British Pyrotechnists Association. Members of the Association sit on a number of Health and Safety Executive and Local Government enforcement committees, along with European committees concerned with the harmonisation of fireworks related legislation throughout the European Community
KS: The SSPCA raised concerns about the use of fireworks in the park. If threats had not been made to staff, would the event have been cancelled based on their recommendation?
EAL: No. Trained and experienced staff were carefully monitoring our animals. We consulted those responsible for animal welfare, carefully considering all implications and ensuring that measures were in place to reduce the impact on the wildlife and animals housed with the park. The SSPCA do not condone the use of fireworks in country parks but were satisfied during our conversation in advance of Tuesday that we had additional measures in place.
The Safety Advisory Group (SAG) is co-ordinated and chaired by the Council and made up of representatives from the local authority such as Environmental Health, Licensing, Emergency Planning, Highways and external partners from the Emergency Services (Police, Fire and Ambulance) and Transport Authorities. They were fully involved throughout the process.
KS: Taking into account the public backlash and SSPCA concern, would East Ayrshire Leisure consider hosting a fireworks event in the Dean Castle and Country Park again in the future?
EAL: We take all feedback seriously and monitor all programmes however we have to recognise this event had sold out .
KS: Does East Ayrshire Leisure stand to lose any money as a result of Tuesday’s cancelled event?
EAL: We are currently in discussion with the event organiser
KS: Is it also the case that animals kept in the park, including the pigs, were moved ahead of Sunday’s event? It has been claimed that two out of the three pigs were moved. If so, why was one kept behind?
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