Rescheduled bonfire goes with a bang

Event: Thousands flock to spectacle

The gigantic 2019 Gadle Braes bonfire burst into life last night at the second time of asking.

High winds forced its postponement on Tuesday, but the rescheduled event went off without a hitch 24 hours later.

Crowds wrapped up warm and headed out to watch as a mountain of wooden pallets was set alight by Peterhead Football Club’s captain Rory McAllister.

The most prolific striker in the SPFL since joining the Blue Toon in the summer of 2011 traded in football chants for cheers as he lit the pile.

Thousands looked on as the flames leapt into the air and organiser Marco Alexander, who owns Marco’s Chipper on Ugie Road, said it had been “brilliant”.

But he also warned the event’s future could be in jeopardy if they cannot attract additional volunteers.

He said: “It has been brilliant today, as it is every year, but it is getting really hard and there’s not been the same number of people helping there has been in the past.

“Younger folk used to get involved but they’re not offering their help as much and we’re feeling the pressures.

“I’m trying to keep going.

“I’ve got my own business so getting all of this sorted it on the side of that is a lot to get done. We’ve managed this year and it’s great to see everyone here again.

“Hopefully in the future more will help and it can keep going.”

In preparation for the evening, Aberdeenshire Council closed off a number of surrounding roads in the interest of public safety and in anticipation of large crowds.

Footballer Rory McAllister took his family along to the event for the first time.

He said: “Marco asked me at the end of the year if I could light it.

“It’s always so nice to be asked to do stuff like this as it’s a big event for the town and it’s great to be a part of it.”

LIGHT OUR FIRE: Peterhead FC captain Rory McAllister does the honours at the Gadle Braes bonfire