THE chances of the traditional Royal Regatta fireworks display going ahead have received a major boost.

James Brennan, who is trying to organise the more than 100-year-old tradition, took over running the event after the previous organiser, Geoff Knight, decided to stand down.

Mr Brennan, a director of the classic car company Hofmann’s of Henley, was forced to find a new site after the Royal Regatta committee banned him from using regatta land, citing anti-social behaviour.

Dr Ray Crockett, who lives in Remenham, offered the use of Sham Hill, which he owns, as a site for the display.

Now Mr Brennan has found a company which has offered to supply and put on the display at cost price.

A40 Fireworks is based just 15 miles away at Chinnor and has been providing professional displays for weddings and corporate events for the last five years.

Mr Brennan said: “It is now very likely the show will go on, subject to sufficient sponsors coming forward. After hearing of the possible struggle to raise £10,000 to stage the event, Dave Coles and John Bennett of A40 Fireworks have offered to assist in keeping the tradition alive.

“Although some concerns have been raised over the Saturday night anti-social behaviour of a minority, thousands of decent people enjoy the fireworks — why should the few spoil things for the majority?

“The importance of maintaining traditions has a wider implication than that of the tradition itself. Local business benefits from the large numbers of people who visit Henley for the regatta, many of whom stay late on the Saturday to enjoy a meal with family and friends, or picnic by the river while watching the fireworks.”

Mr Brennan is still appealing to businesses in the area to back the display. He said: “With the loss of support from the regatta committee, leaving a £5,000 hole in this year’s fund, it’s time for local businesses to stick together to try and maintain the event as a whole. Once things are stopped, they often disappear forever.”


Published on 01 June 2009 by the Henley Standard, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.