New Year’s Eve celebrations have been cancelled in Plymouth and throughout Devon and Cornwall as gale force winds of up to 75mph batter the region.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning in the South West as severe winds hit coastal towns and have forced the closure of several fireworks displays planned for this evening.
Plymouth’s Winter Wonderland event, which was due to run from 6pm to midnight tonight, has already been cancelled due to forecast high winds.
Another fireworks display in the Devon town of Barnstaple has also been cancelled.
In a post on Facebook, organsisers of the Winter Wonderland said: ‘Unfortunately we have taken the very difficult decision to cancel our New Year’s Eve event due to the high winds expected.
‘Firstly, regarding current ticket holders, we have just instructed our ticket platform Fatsoma to refund everyone. Your payment will be returned to your bank account in the next few days.
‘As much as we are very disappointed and frustrated, your safety comes first, as well as ours, and we can’t possibly take the risk.’
Elsewhere in Cornwall, an earlier fireworks display in Truro often attended by children and families has been cancelled, but the midnight one will still go ahead.
A spokesperson said: ‘Due to the current adverse weather conditions and the Met Office weather warning which is in place until 11.59pm this evening, the difficult decision has been made to cancel this evening’s 7.30pm Fireworks display in Truro.’
The Met Office weather warning says: ‘Gales or severe gales in association with heavy showers may lead to disruption to transport and infrastructure.’
A forecast for the region says: ‘Another windy day with sunny intervals and heavy blustery showers, possibly merging into bands at times with hail and thunder in places. Gales are likely in some coastal regions and feeling colder than yesterday, especially in the wind.
‘Staying windy this evening with coastal gales and further heavy showers for many, perhaps locally thundery. Staying showery as we move into 2024, but some places turning mostly dry.’
Other fireworks displays in St Ives and Looe displays are still set to go ahead, despite concerns over the weather.
An organiser in St Ives said: ‘We have been keeping an eye on the weather conditions and would like to confirm that the NYE fireworks will be going ahead as planned this evening. The wind is dropping slightly and it should be dry from 9pm.
‘We have made some minor changes to include some lower-level fireworks to ensure the event can still go ahead and minimise debris going into the ocean.’
The Welcome to Looe and Polperro group also confirmed the fireworks would be going ahead in an update posted a few days ago, which said: ‘We know that the weather forecast for NYE is not the best and various people have asked if the fireworks are going ahead. As things stand, the predicted wind direction and force should not impact either display from taking place.
‘Of course, public safety is of paramount importance, as is the safety of the firework crew. The final decision is always taken on the day when the actual weather conditions are upon us.’
No further updates have been issued so far today so it is understood to be going ahead.
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