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Thu 01 Sep 2005

Bank of Scotland celebrates 10 years of Fireworks sponsorship

The Festival is building up to its annual spectacular finale on Sunday 4 September at 9.00pm with the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The performance is expected to attract over 200,000 people to various vantage points throughout the city.

Pyrotechnics wizards Wilf Scott and Keith Webb, regulars at the Edinburgh International Festival, have once again designed the display using over 100,000 fireworks, the largest annual pyro-concert in Europe.

Some new fireworks will be making their Edinburgh debut, including the addition of some in more pastel shades, lemon, orange and aquamarine.

Scotland's leading young conductor Garry Walker leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Beethoven's mighty 7th Symphony, which Beethoven himself described as his "most excellent symphony” and Wagner as "perfect dance music”.

For those with families or who are looking for a less busy spot to take part in the festivities, the Bank of Scotland Family Viewing Area in Inverleith Park is perfect for non-ticket holders. With children's entertainment and the Edinburgh Farmers Market on site at the park from 3.00pm, and all kinds of family entertainment kicking off at 6.00pm there is plenty to keep everyone in the family happy until the concert begins at 9.00pm.

For the first time this year there will be a large screen showing live footage of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in the Ross Bandstand which will complement the live broadcast on Radio Forth.

Sarah Mackie, Head of Sponsorship at Bank of Scotland, said "We are delighted to be celebrating the tenth anniversary of our support for the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert, the cornerstone of our support for the arts in Scotland. The anniversary is being marked with the development of the Bank of Scotland Family Viewing Area at Inverleith Park to ensure that the concert reaches the widest possible audience."

Brian McMaster, Festival Director, said "The Bank of Scotland Fireworks concert is such a wonderful way to finish the Festival season. It is hugely popular with locals and visitors to the city and we thank the Bank for their continuing support on the 10th Anniversary of their support for the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert."

Roy McEwan, Managing Director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, said "We're delighted to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Bank of Scotland's support for the Concert. The new developments at Inverleith Park are certain to make an already successful event even better, and will help to bring some of the special ambience of the Ross Bandstand to a wider audience."

Councillor Steve Cardownie, Deputy Provost and Edinburgh's Events and Festivals Champion, said: "The Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert is a fantastic finale to Edinburgh's vibrant summer festivals season. I would urge people to get out and enjoy the fireworks display and encourage families to make use of the viewing area in Inverleith Park. Do ensure you keep safe and listen to advice from the police and stewards as they are there to help you."

Tom Halpin, Assistant Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police said: "The fireworks display is a popular event and we hope that with the event being on a Sunday it will encourage a real family-friendly atmosphere, as it did last year.

"With a crowd in excess of 100,000 expected in the immediate vicinity, public safety is our main consideration and while we want people to enjoy themselves, we want them to be safe too. There will be police and stewards on duty on the night who are there to help you. Please follow their advice. We would ask that people do not bring glass or bottles to the event, and stress that anyone under 18-years-old found in possession of alcohol will be firmly dealt with."

Those people who hope to watch the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert from Princes Street should be aware that this year the street can only be accessed from the east and west ends or from The Mound via Bank Street.

For further information on the concert call 0131 473 2000.