Fireworks fun is Theo’s goal
RoundTable annual fireworks night
Theo Giameos is hoping that Strathaven and District Round Table’s biggest night of the year will go off with a bang.
Chairman Theo is counting down until Bonfire Night in Strathaven Park this Saturday – and crossing his fingers that the rain stays away.
“You are in the hands of the big guy,” he admits. “If it rains you are snookered.
“It’s always been cold – we can’t really help that – but we’re aiming to go for the biggest bonfire we can!”
The Round Table have been at the heart of the town for over 50 years with Theo taking his turn as chairman this term.
The rules of the group state that you can only be in the hot seat for 12 months.
Theo has been a member for just under five years years after moving to Strathaven in 2003 and is now keen to make his mark.
“Every chairman tries to put their own stamp on it,” he said.
“You have to take on the events that we run and make them a success.
“The biggest downfall is trying to get people involved.
“If you live in this community, we want people to be part of the community.
“Apart from that it’s a good group of guys. This year alone we have given so many thousands of pounds to good causes.”
The Round Table back popular events in the local calendar – with donations to the balloon festival and Strathaven in Bloom – as well as running the the raft race on gala day and the popular beer festival. Theo admits it’s a big responsibility. “It’s extremely busy and it’s a lot of hard work,” he said. “Bonfire Night is our key event.
“There are two months of preparation leading into that event that people don’t see. It’s the same as the beer festival.
“Ideally you’d like to distribute the responsibility amongst the group but it doesn’t always work that way! As the chairman a lot of that has fallen on my plate.”
Theo is hoping for an increase in membership to help take the pressure off some of the Round Table team.
He says it would be a perfect way to introduce people moving to the town to the community.
“All decisions are discussed around the table,” he said. “We have a few beers and have something to eat. It’s quite a sociable thing.
“We do make that difference, though. I’ve made friends for life.”
He continued: “For about three years there was just five members. It was almost at the point that if any of them had decided to stop it would have folded.
“Myself and another gentleman joined and took it up to seven.
“The most we have been at since I was there was 11 and that made it easier when we are putting on an event.
“You have those extra bodies and more people to rely on.
“At the moment we are sitting at nine and it would be nice to get in a few more.
“We want to get the word out. There are a lot of new houses in Strathaven so hopefully we can get some people who are new to the area.
“If you’re new to the area and want to get to know people it would be ideal. You used to have to be a professional but we are a lot more relaxed now.
“It’s not guys in shirts and ties any more – it’s just guys together doing cool stuff.”
The Bonfire Night extravaganza is £3 per ticket.
Gates will open for the event at 7pm with the show starting at 8pm.
For more information on Strathaven and District Round Table, or the Bonfire Night show, visit the group’s Facebook page.
You are in the hands of the big guy. This is our key event...