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Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

WELCOME

TO THE 2026 HEARNES FERNDOWN FIREWORKS EVENING As Mayor of Ferndown, I am delighted to welcome you to this fantastic free community event. Now in its third year, the event was launched by Ferndown Town Council in 2024 and is once again being organised by Funfest Events, of which I am proud to be a director. This year, we are again raising funds for the wonderful John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation, one of my Mayoral charities. Their work provides invaluable opportunities for young people to achieve their goals in sport, music, academia and leadership, and better themselves as young adults. In 2026, we will also be remembering Betsy Badminton, a young girl from Ferndown who tragically succumbed to an inoperable illness last year; the 2025 Fireworks Display being the last public event she attended with her family. In remembrance of Betsy, and to help raise money for a remembrance project in her name, I would like to invite all guests to sponsor one of the special heart-fireworks that will be used in the displays. Please see the section within this brochure as to how to support that campaign.

I would like to thank the Ferndown branch of Hearnes Estate Agents for, again, generously agreeing to be the headline sponsor of the event, along with our other generous sponsors and event partners, whose support helps keep this event free for everyone. Finally, I would like to thank Philip Leach of Funfest Events and Geoff Beck of Fiesta Fireworks who take on the main organisational work for this event, along with their invaluable teams of volunteers who make this event work for the benefit of all. I wish you all a fun and enjoyable evening, and please help the event’s chosen charities as best you can, and – along with the fantastic fireworks displays - bring some extra bright light into our community with your support of such great causes. Ferndown can be fun, and we're determined to prove it! Have a brilliant night! Cllr Lawrence Wilson Mayor of Ferndown

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

HEADLINE SPONSOR Hearnes Estate Agents, Ferndown Hearnes Estate Agents are proud to once again be the Headline Sponsor of Ferndown Fireworks. As an independent, family-run business with deep roots in the local community, we have built our reputation on trusted service, local expertise and long-standing customer relationships. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our clients, whose loyalty and recommendations enable us to give back to the community and support valued events such as this.

GOLD SPONSORS Ferndown Town Council Ferndown Town Council is delighted to be one of the sponsors for this year’s community fireworks event, which is raising funds for the John Thornton Young Achievers’ Foundation. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than last year, and the Town Council is proud to support Funfest Events Ltd in delivering another fantastic, free-to-enter event for our community. We’re sure the evening will go with a bang, albeit a reduced-noise fireworks’ bang!

Tony Smith Kitchens At Tony Smith Kitchens, we design, supply and install bespoke kitchens from start to finish. As an independent company, we’re not tied to one supplier, giving you a wider choice of styles, colours and finishes tailored to your home. We can also supply appliances and always aim to beat internet prices. Our in-house fitting team manages every stage of your project, ensuring high standards from start to finish. Unlike many large retailers, we offer competitive prices with a personal service. With us, you’re a name, not a number. 4

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

Ferndown Commercials We’re proud to sponsor our local fireworks event because it brings our community together to celebrate, connect and create lasting memories. As a local business, we believe in supporting the people and organisations that make our area such a great place to live and work. Events like this provide an opportunity for families, friends and neighbours to enjoy a fantastic evening together, while supporting local charities, groups and community initiatives. We’re delighted to play a small part in making the event possible and giving something back to the community that supports us throughout the year. We hope everyone enjoys the celebrations!

Colten Care

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

TIMETABLE 15:00-17:00

Hot Radio- Live & Local

18:00-18:15 and 21:15

Airspace Clearance

17:00-17:45

Krazy Kev

20:45-21:00

Main Fireworks Display

17:45-18:00

Kid’s Firework Display

21:00-22:00

Hot Radio- Live & Local

18:00-20:45

Main Stage Entertainments

22:00

MAIN STAGE PERFORMANCES Hot Radio

Krazy Kev

Hot Radio is proud to host the Main Stage at this year’s event. Founded to serve the local community, Hot Radio delivers local news, traffic and travel updates, competitions, and the best music from the 90s to today. As a not-for-profit station supported by over 100 volunteers, we are committed to keeping local radio truly local. Broadcasting across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on FM 102.8, throughout Dorset on DAB, and online via Hot Radio Player, we’re also available on smart speakers and radio apps including TuneIn and Radioplayer.

Krazy Kev is an international award-winning Comedy Magician and one of the busiest performers in show business! He has performed at thousands of Birthday Parties over the years as well as Events up and down the country. Over the past 20 years Krazy Kev has taken his love of magic and entertaining worldwide, performing on many cruise ships and holiday resorts. With various television credits Krazy Kev is also a popular entertainer for BBC, ITV and CBeebies.

Phoenix Musical Theatre Phoenix Musical Theatre: 40 Years Young! Based in Ferndown, we perform everything from concerts and carols to musicals and pantomimes. We’re always welcoming new members of all ages, both on stage and behind the scenes. Join our friendly team and be part of our exciting future productions. Visit phoenixmusicaltheatre.com or find us on social media. Life is too short to stay at home! Linda B, Chairperson”

James Seaward Loud, unapologetic, and fiercely authentic. James Seaward is redefining Rock with his stadium soaring choruses and crushing guitars. Hailing from Bournemouth, this rising vocalist/ guitarist/songwriter brings a fresh, aggressive energy to the modern music landscape. With influences ranging from My Chemical Romance to Green Day to Springsteen, his songs are a masterclass in larger-than-life choruses and big hooks. The new single, Ghosts, is out now on all platforms

Undercover 5-piece covers band, covering Dorset & Hampshire, playing a wide range of genres pop, rock, folk, jazz & Latin numbers

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

WE’RE SUPPORTING… The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation Registered Charity Number: 1125277 www.jtyaf.org The John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation was founded in memory of Lt John Thornton RM who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008 at the age of 22. The JTYAF supports young people from a wide range of youth organisations in Dorset and Wiltshire, providing them with scholarships and bursaries to support their personal development and the pursuit of their ambitions. The Foundation is committed to upholding the values that John exemplified: courage, leadership, compassion, and a belief in the potential of young people. The JTYAF stands as an enduring tribute to his life, touching the lives of many young people. Since its founding, the charity has awarded over £1million via 3,000 grants to schools, youth organisations and individuals. The Sparkler Zone and Glowie lights stand is manned by the charity, and all proceeds from this outlet will be donated to the charity.

Donations can also be made directly to the charity via this QR code, the official JTYAF Charity’s Just Giving donations page.

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

IN REMEMBRANCE: BETSY BADMINTON This year, the evening will also raise money in remembrance of Betsy Badminton, a pupil of Ferndown First School who tragically died last year from an incurable tumour. You can sponsor one of the special heartshaped shells that will be fired during the two fireworks displays, with the money raised going towards a bench named in her memory.

A message from her family… Betsy was diagnosed with a DIPG brain tumour at the age of 5 and had to undergo 13 sessions of radiotherapy in London. Throughout her time having radiotherapy, Betsy stayed positive and would jump on the scanning table, lay there listening to Taylor Swift and then we would go and explore London for the rest of the day. She amazed everyone she met with her positive attitude. We were very lucky that Betsy stayed well during her last year so that she could continue participating in her two very favourites activities – her cheerleading classes and attending school. Despite her brave fight against this terrible illness, Betsy passed away age 6, on the 5th of November 2025, only 11 months after her diagnosis.

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

We have a saying in our family and that is “Be more Betsy”. Go out and try new things, don’t give up on things you love and, most of all, be happy. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone in Ferndown who has supported us throughout this heartbreaking time. The family will forever be grateful to all of our extended family, friends and all the local businesses who have helped us so much.

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

How did this event start? Launched in 2024, Ferndown Fireworks quickly became a community favourite. To secure its future, Funfest Events was established in 2025 by Town Councillors Simon Cable, Lawrence Wilson and Philip Leach.

Working with Fiesta Fireworks, our goal is to keep the event free, grow it sustainably, and raise funds for charity. We’re proud to support the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation and look forward to another fantastic event in 2026.

How do we fire over 10,000 effects? … and safely! As one of the primary sponsors to this event, Fiesta Fireworks has been organising, riskassessing and managing fireworks displays for over 30 years. The award-winning annual Wimborne and Colehill Fireworks Evening was the precursor to this event, along with the 2012 Jubilee Day at Ferndown KGV Playing Fields at the request of the then mayor, Cllr Terry Cordery. This year, 2026, Fiesta Fireworks continues its 30 year relationship with Anytime Fireworks, our pyrotechnics wholesaler and provider of various public and private displays all over the South of England, including the prestigious British Fireworks Championships. We have organised, planned and fired hundreds of displays in that time, including Bournemouth Town Centre Christmas Lights switch on events, weddings, birthdays, and many other private functions… including at the funeral wakes of fireworks fans who wanted to go out with a bit of sparkle! Planning any fireworks display takes a considerable amount of design time, music track composition, safety assessments, and risk management. We liaise with numerous official bodies to ensure that every display is legal, compliant, and is safe to guests, event volunteers, the fireworks team, local residents, and the wider community. We even have

to obtain airspace clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that there’s no potential of danger to aircraft in the area. Planning starts each January, as some special fireworks effects – like this year’s heart shells - may have to be ordered from overseas manufacturers in plenty of time. Many hours are spent selecting, mixing and testing the music tracks. We choose to use lower noise fireworks, and those that give the best colour and awe effect with the main objective being to paint the sky with colour and wonder in a safe and controlled manner. This year, there will be two displays during which we will be firing over 10,000 shots. The earlier display is designed for families with younger children – who need to get to bed earlier - and a later one for older guests. However, both displays will be suitable for all ages… it’s just a matter of personal choice of bed time! We hope you enjoy the displays, but please remember to listen to all safety announcements, obey any instructions from event staff or marshals, do not cross the spectator barrier at any time – before, during or after the displays – and remember to follow the Firework Code. Geoff Beck Founder, Fiesta Fireworks Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026

D I O V Prize Draw TICKET No.

Prize Draw TICKET No.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

RETAIN THIS SECTION

MOBILE No:

Promoting Society – John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation. Ticket Price £3, included in price of this programme. Draw date 31/10/26. JTYAF, PO Box 7124, Ferndown, BH22 9RU

OUR EVENT PARTNERS We would like to thank the following businesses and organisations for their help and support behind the scenes, without which our amazing event could not happen.

Ferndown Fireworks | 2026