The Stonehaven Fireballs Association

Pictures and videos of the 2008 Stonehaven Fireballs have started to appear on the web. There are several videos on YouTube, with more being added all the time, and a really nice set of pictures courtesy of Gavin Shaw. If you have any pictures, videos, etc that you'd like to share, please do get in touch.

 

An ideal break in the weather allowed us to have an amazing Fireballs Ceremony for 2008. The rain stoped for the barrier setting out and then again it cleared from 9.30 untill after 1am. The total lack of wind also helped keep the evening feeling fairly mild. The huge turnout of spectators amazed all of us I think. I did not expect to see so many. The cars were parked up as far as the path into Forest Park off Mill 'o Forest Road. The Open Air In The Square organisers had noticed that their numbers were well up early on in the evening.

The lack of wind did have an adverse effect - the Fireballs took longer to burn out. There were more Swingers finishing in the 20-25 past midnight period this year. Last year most were done by 20 past. Quite a number of Swingers I spoke to were complaining of the effects of their exertions!

Thanks to Chairman Alan Venters and his team for another great event.

There were 46 swingers in total. The full list is attached. The press reports of 43 are my fault - poor accounting! On the accounting side, so far we know that the donations from the brochure distribution have raised £1638.00. This total may rise a little but even so it's great amount - nearly twice what we have raised in the past. Our costs have gone up this year though. Thanks to all who helped with the brochures - a fantastic effort.

We have had a good run on our DVDs, Tee & sweat shirts. Order yours NOW before stocks run out!

Picture courtesy of deepriver.images.

Where : Stonehaven High Street [more details and map here]

When : Midnight on 31st December. Try to be in place by 11.00pm to get a good view. [more details here]

• Parking may be difficult, so if you are coming by car make sure you leave plenty of time.

• Please cooperate with the volunteer marshalls, who will be working hard to make sure everyone has a great time.

The Fireball Association had the good fortune to have Gail Anderson and Mark Biglow make a short documentry (18 minutes) of the Fireball Ceremony - 'The Swinging of the Fireballs' DVD. It starts with the barriers going up and finishes with the last firework. The swingers and marshals tell of why they do what they do and of memories from the past. The atmosphere that is created is very close to being there so if you can get your timing right you can celebrate a true Steenhive Hogmanay in the comfort of your own home!

The other DVD 'Additional Material' has video, film and TV clips as well as press clippings from most of the coverage in the local paper. There is also a written history of the event and poems, short stories, etc.etc. This disc is best played in a computer DVD reader as there are quite a number of 'Word' files.

 

The cost is £15.00 + post and packing - £1.50 for UK, £2.50 for the rest of the world.  For ordering and payment - Send us an e-mail via the 'Contact Us' tab.

The Committee meet from time to time (more in the run up to Hogmanay), the minutes from the meetings will be lodged here for members who have registered to read. This facility isn't up and running yet.

We have created an Excell document of all of the 'Swingers, and the years that they took part, that we have details of. Please check it over and let us know if the information is wrong and also if you can add any more names and their active years.

The AGM has been set for the 9th of March at 7.30 (6.30 for the Committee) in St. Leonards Hotel. All members welcome - tea, coffee and biscuits available. It is hoped that Majory Stephen will be showing some of her collection of pictures that she has taken of the Swingers over the years.