The Stonehaven Fireballs Association

The Stonehaven Fireballs Association will always be indebted to Jack Emslie. From our rather shaky start in early 2002 we knew that we had a strong supporter in Jack and he helped shape the organisation, its constitution and even its name.

Our information is that Jack first started swinging a fireball in 1948 and although he didn’t swing every year after that he did manage to swing at 44 Hogmanays until he stopped after the 2000/1 event. In 2004 he took on the role of ‘Official Starter’ & ‘Chief Paraffin Dispenser’ to help organise the starting and lighting up part of the ceremony, which he did until 2010.

Among Jack’s many interests The Fireballs were a strong subject that he promoted whenever he got the opportunity. Over the years he gave numerous interviews to reporters from TV, radio and newspapers about the history of the ceremony. He and his brothers, George and Bill helped keep the ceremony going when it looked as though it would die out through apathy. He used all his influence, when a councillor in the local area, to get the local authority to give the event as much support and help as it could to try and ensure that the ceremony would keep going.

All Stonehaven Fireball Association members are invited to attend the annual A.G.M. in the Heugh Hotel on Tuesday 16th March at 7.30.

Tea, Coffee and biscuits will be available.

All the usuall items will be on the agenda including the election/re-election of committee members standing down after their two year period in office.

If you want a good read about the Fire Festivals of Scotland then I can recomend 'Great Balls of Fire : A Year of Scottish Festivals' by Gary Sutherland (Birlinn). He covers most of the festivals & ceremonies and his style is great.

Something else to look out for is the December issue of Scottish Memories which also covers the fire festivals of Scotland.

In case anyone is concerned about the effect the bad weather might have on the Fireball Ceremony - IT WILL GO AHEAD!

In the one hundred and fifty plus years that the event has been going there is no record of it ever having been cancelled and that's another tradition we intend to keep to!

Sometimes it has been 'adjusted' slightly - blue flashing lights one year, incredibly fierce winds another - but it has always gone ahead. 

See you there!

For those who aren't too keen on the huge mass of spectators at the Fireballs there is an alternative way to see the event.

At the Open Air In The Square there will be a live broadcast from the High Street as the Ceremony is taking place.

It is a way to see the event but also enjoy a cup of coffee and a 'steak in a bun' - the toilets are also much handier!

If you make your way to the beach walk/promenade area for 00.25 then you'll see the main part of the fireworks display at the harbour as well.

For the duration of the Fireball Ceremony some of the piers at the harbour will be closed off on the advice of Grampian Police. People comming to the event are advised not to try and gain access to those piers, they will be policed.

We've finally got the web cam back online again, and not a moment too soon.

As usual, we need plenty marshals to help run our event. With Aberdeen City only staging a firework display we anticipate a greater number of spectators comming to see our Ceremony than usual (so a good idea to come early? Yeh! You can't be TOO early!). So if anyone reading this fancies a Hogmanay with a difference give David Flemming a call 01569 767200, 07733361755 or by david.w.fleming@surescribe.com you will be appreciated!

We can't say that you'll get a inside view of the Fireballs but you'll certainly help us to make the event as good as possible. Marshals are needed in a variety of areas - not just on the High Street.

Marshals are only there to advise the public, help to guide them to where it's best to be, warn them about possible problems or potentially dangerous situations. The police take care of any crowd control problems or disturbences.

First Aid training is an advantage but not essential though a current certificate is required.

Planning to be in Stonehaven for Hogmanay? Looking for somewhere to stay? See The Stonehaven Guide for a list of local accomodation.

Minutes from the public meeting held last month are attached below.