Port Erin Commissioners considering drone show alternative to firework display

Local authority says it would be 'dependent' on government grant schemes

Port Erin Commissioners is looking at putting on a drone show instead of a fireworks display.

The local authority was provided with a quote for £9,000 from a UK company to put on a ‘fully personalised’ display in the village.

The drone idea was proposed by Commissioner Karl Drinkwater – who said a grant would also be available from the Department for Enterprise which would cover 80 percent of the cost.

For the last four years, the local authority has skipped hosting a fireworks display in the bay for Bonfire Night, with the last being a ‘low noise display’ in 2021.

Chair Hannah Mackenzie said her only concern is the fact that there was no provision for a display in its 26/27 budget.

She added that it would be dependent on how much funding could be obtained from government grants.

Also on the agenda were requests from two neighbouring local authorities requesting the use of traffic cones for upcoming community events.

Mrs Mackenzie said the commissioners had been told that the government is no longer providing cones for events and instead it was up to the organisations to source them.

Commissioner Gerry Callister said he would be happy to lend them to the other authorities but only if they were marked as belonging to Port Erin.

Concerns were also raised about potential clashes with the other events.

It was agreed by the board that the cones would be lent out once event dates had been confirmed between all parties.

And a letter was sent to the commissioners asking if they would be able to prevent people from feeding the birds outside the railway station.

Commissioner Gary Chambers said the building is owned by the Department of Infrastructure and any signs which needed to go up would have to go through the department.

It was agreed to write back to the resident saying feeding wild birds is a problem, but the local authority can’t put signs on a building which is doesn't own.

Port Erin Commissioners will next meet on Tuesday 12 May.