Cromer’s New Year’s Day Firework Display
All eyes will be on the skies above Cromer Pier at 5pm on 1 January 2013 for the traditional New Year’s Day Firework display, and organisers hope as many people as possible will again come to Cromer for the day – but urge them not to leave it until the last minute to come to Cromer.
“We’re delighted it’s become such a successful annual event, and with plenty of good vantage points to watch the display, come early, we don’t want anyone to miss it,” says Firework Committee Chairman Jim Bond.
“The idea has always been to bring people up to the coast for a breath of fresh air, something to eat and drink, and a fabulous firework display over the sea fired from Cromer Pier at 5pm.
"This year, 1 January is a Tuesday, so linger longer and enjoy the evening. Cafés, pubs and restaurants will also be open, so there'll be plenty of places to get a cuppa or something stronger."
There will also be teas and coffees in the Church with musical accompaniment, and mulled wine outside.
Raising over £4,000 for local good causes – and funding the following year’s display – the annual display attracts up to 8,000 people
into Cromer on New Year’s Day.
"This year’s show will be as spectacular as in previous years. We have been planning and building the show over the last few months and are hoping more than ever to produce effects that will light up the sea in a variety of colours, but this, as always, is all weather dependent
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS 16
3pm FUN RUN Work off those New Year’s Eve excesses with a gentle jog along Cromer Prom – or a five minute dash if you’re up to it! North Norfolk Beach Runners are organising their annual One Mile Fun Run as a curtain-raiser for the firework display at 5pm. Starting from the pier forecourt at 3pm, the run is open to all ages and abilities, with categories for under 13 year-olds, 14-16 year-olds, seniors and even Fancy Dress. Registration will take place from 2.30pm on the pier forecourt for a fee of £1.
4.30pm TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION As every year since the first display in 2000, there will be a ‘torchlight’ procession from the churchyard at 4.30pm, with light-sabres and
lanterns available to buy during the afternoon outside Cromer Museum (next to the Church). Mulled wine will again be served outside the museum, with tea, coffee, and hot soup available in the church. Throughout the afternoon there will also be musical entertainment in the church for everyone to enjoy. Local cafés, pubs, shops and restaurants will also be open, the local butcher will be having a BBQ outside his shop from 3pm and other vendors are planning to ensure the crowds who descend on Cromer won’t go hungry. If you made a New Year resolution to learn to surf, the Glide Surf School and Cedar House Surf Shop will be open from 10am to 4pm.
Please see the Town Council website (www.cromertown.org) and Facebook page (‘New Year's Day Fireworks, Cromer’) for a list of some of the traders who will be participating.
“Please give generously”
Donations from spectators last year raised over £9,000, which is divided between funding the following year’s display and local charities. “Everyone’s aware that budgets are still tight, but we do ask people give as generously as they can,” says Jim Bond. “Just a few coins can make a lot of difference to local charities and good causes – and without everyone’s help we couldn’t continue the annual display.” Visitors are urged to arrive in Cromer as early as possible on New Year’s Day. All three town car parks will be open. Runton Road car park will be charging a fixed charge of £2 per car for all day parking from 2pm on the day. Normal car park fees will apply on all other car parks.
Please note Cromer Pier will be closed from 8am on New Year’s Day until after the display (7pm approx) although Tides Restaurant will be open.
This year’s Cromer New Year Day Firework Display costs over £5,000. Underwritten by Cromer Town Council, money raised from bucket collections will be divided between local good causes and funding next year’s (2014) display.
Cross those fingers firmly, but since 1 Jan 2000 the weather’s been kind to Cromer’s New Year Day Firework Display. “We’ve had some wet years, and a few chilly ones,” says Jim Bond. “Fortunately we’ve never had a really strong wind which could seriously affect a display from the pier.” Any last minute changes to the event will be announced on local radio, via the Facebook page (‘New Year's Day Fireworks, Cromer’) and twitter (North_lodge_cromer). See page 23 for an idea of how the day pans out for the Firework Team
Cromer Times #412 December 15th 2012