Letter to the Editor: Tuesday November 8, 2016

Great entertainment

On Saturday night Mangonui Fire Brigade put on a fireworks display that would have been the envy of many larger centres.

Although a gold coin donation was welcomed, it was basically free for the whole community.

Young and old, rich and poor could come along and see the spectacular display at no cost.

The firemen are mainly, if not entirely volunteers, and for them to plan and manage the show, in addition to the amount of their own personal time already spent on firefighting, ambulance assist etc, shows a huge commitment to the Doubtless Bay community, and we're lucky to have them.

A big, well-managed public event like this must reduce the need for families to feel they have to allocate money and time to their own fireworks display at home, where there is a greater risk to people, property and pets, although, like the idiot that set fire to the Cooper's Beach reserve last New Year's Eve, they're always out there.

I hope that funding agencies, if asked, will financially support the fire brigade's safety initiatives in holding this display in the future.

This year was even better than last year's show, so congratulations and thanks from me and my family.

SHERYL BAINBRIDGE
Cooper's Beach