EVENT: British Firework Championships 2016

british firework champtionships 2014 plymouthBritish Firework Championships:
Tuesday 16 – Wednesday 17 August 2016

The world famous British Firework Championships is set to return to Plymouth for its 20th showdown in just over 2 weeks!

The successful companies competing this year are:

  • Aurora Fireworks
  • F1 Pyrotechnics
  • Phoenix Fireworks
  • Gala Fireworks
  • Distant Thunder Fireworks
  • Smart Pyrotechnics

A fantastic free Waterfront event, with judging from an expert panel, fairground rides, entertainment from Heart Radio and bands, The Poet Junkies and Ten Zero One.

See full details…

EVENT: Armed Forces Weekend 2016

Plymouth Armed Forces Weekend 2016

Armed Forces Weekend in Association with Babcock International
Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 June 2016

Plymouth Armed Forces Week is an annual event held in support of the national Armed Forces Day initiative.

With 50,000 attending the event last year we are continuing to improve our annual event on the glorious Plymouth Hoe, and with this in mind we are developing a spectacular two day event which will be known as Armed Forces Weekend, in association with Babcock International.

The intention of the weekend for Plymouth is to say a big Thank You to the Armed Services, their families and our veterans.

The aim of the event from the MOD; is to raise awareness of and support for our Armed Forces community and celebrate the outstanding contribution it makes to our country.

Plans to date include:

**Saturday 25 June – 10am to 10.30pm**

Villages & Arena Displays:

  • Veterans Village Sponsored by Royal British Legion
  • Hidden Heritage Living History Zone
  • Royal Naval Village
  • Army Village
  • RAF Village
  • Emergency Services Displays

Event Programme:

  • The annual RAF and Allied Air Forces Monument Service supported by the Royal Marine Band, Plymouth in the Arena
  • Veterans parade on the Hoe including over 30 Royal British Legion Standards
  • Plymouth Youth Music Service (PYMS) Stage
  • Cadets Corps of Drums and Drill Display team in the Arena
  • HMS Raleigh Training School Arms Drill Display with the Royal Marine Band, Plymouth in the Arena
  • Military Kids Choir and Community Covenant Speech on the main stage
  • Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets in the Arena
  • Company B – 7 piece rowdy energetic jump jive band that bring an era of musical vintage bang up to date with their show performance on the main stage
  • The Rifles Freedom of the City Parade and led by The Rifles Band and Bugles
  • HMNB Devonport V HMS Raleigh Field Gun Competition in the Arena. Babcock Cup Presentation in the Arena
  • Jnr Field Gun Run. RM Volunteer cadet Corp. V Pennycross Primary School in the Arena
  • SW Massed Pipe Band in the Arena
  • RAF Air Cadets continuity drill display team in the Arena
  • Air Displays sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems

Evening Stage Entertainment:

  • Military Wives Choir
  • The Function Band of HM Royal Marines Band Plymouth
  • Phil Collins tribute – straight out of the tribute top drawer
  • Red Hot Chilli Pipers – the most famous bagpipe band on the planet…it’s Bagrock!
  • Birmingham Blues Brothers – On a Mission in Plymouth

**Sunday 26 June – 10am to 4pm**

  • Junior Field Gun competition and competition trophy presentations
  • Feu de Joie from 29 CMDO Royal Artillery Citadel with Royal Marine Band, Plymouth
  • 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot (Napoleonic era) drill display, marching and musket firing display
  • Air Displays sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems

Other activities include the Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Event on Monday 20 June in front of the Plymouth Guildhall and the Children and Young People’s Services have planned a HMS Heroes Service Children’s Voice Awards, The HMS Heroes small marquee, a competition for art and design and much more.

For a full list of events and activities see: http://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/…/armed-forces-weekend-p1306…

Business Event: Make a Difference for Mayflower 400

Mayflower 400 Business link eventNews of an event for businesses looking to linkup with the Mayflower 400 event.

The event is free to register and will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Duke of Cornwall Hotel.

‘Make a Difference for Mayflower 400’ will demonstrate the power of partnership working, as Plymouth City Council, the city’s two Business Improvement District organisations and independent businesses have joined forces to get Plymouth ready to feature on the world’s stage.

Aimed at businesses across Plymouth, this event is a launch of the city’s preparations in getting the place ready for Mayflower 400.

Just four and a half years’ away in 2020, the city will host a major events calendar and welcome hoards of international visitors as we celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower.

‘Make a Difference for Mayflower 400’ will demonstrate the power of partnership working, as Plymouth City Council, the city’s two Business Improvement District organisations and indepedent businesses have joined forces to get Plymouth ready to feature on the world’s stage.

This event is a call to action, laying out the city’s plans to uplift the public realm and will present an ‘ask’ for help to the private sector. Ideas for projects will be provided, volunteer initiatives for teams will be shared and updates on what’s already happening will be showcased.

So if you’re not already part of the Plymouth ‘Make a Difference for Mayflower 400’ team, come aboard and join us now!

Booking details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-a-difference-for-mayflowe…

Event: Bonfire Night – Plymouth Hoe Thursday 5th November 2015

plymouth hoe bonfire night 2013
Photo by Steve Dudfield

With one month to go until Bonfire Night plans are in place for Plymouth to host a family evening of fireworks, fun, entertainment and most of all…..a bonfire!

Taking place on Thursday 5 November on Plymouth Hoe the evening celebrations will begin at 4pm when fairground rides and catering stands open.

The presenters of Heart FM South West will keep visitors entertained with an exciting music programme from 6pm on the stage which will be located on the grassed area near the Royal Citadel.

Located on the grass area by the Smeaton’s Tower Lighthouse, timber provided by Babcock will create the bonfire which will brighten the dark skies and provide warmth for the evening. The bonfire will be lit at 7.30.

Creating a cosy atmosphere, visitors can gather around the fire with hot chocolate, tea, coffee and hot food that can be purchased from the many catering stands that will be available.

A fantastic firework display will also take place with Pyrovision setting off an assortment of rockets, fountains and firecrackers from the Royal Citadel at 8pm.

Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, Peter Smith, said: “Remember, remember the 5th November! Following tradition Plymouth will once again provide visitors to Plymouth Hoe an evening of fun entertainment and fireworks. It’s a real family event which has been running for years so remember to dress up warm and enjoy the show.

“Babcock has kindly offered to provide the timber for us again so it’s going to be an impressive bonfire.”

Visitors to The Hoe on Bonfire night are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and use public transport wherever possible. Disabled parking will be available on the Hoe for those displaying a blue badge. This can be accessed via the Elliot Street entrance from 5.30pm.

Further information about this evening will be available on visitplymouth.co.uk nearer the event date.

Plymouth is going gold for childhood cancer awareness – 1st September 2015

Plymouth going Gold Smeatons Tower event awarenessPlymouth is going gold for childhood cancer awareness on 1st of September. Near Smeatons Tower and the liner lookout will be lots of games and activities, fire brigade, dancers, singers, kite surfing and more planned. Also night time will see Smeatons Tower turn gold!

Please follow the following page for updates and details: www.facebook.com/bringonthesmiles