A CRISIS meeting is being held tonight (Thursday) to gain support for an annual community spectacle which is under threat of folding.

The Okehampton and District Fireshow (formerly the Sticklepath Fireshow), a community event that has been entertaining crowds for more than 30 years, may have to disband if it cannot find new committee members and supporters to take it forward.

After a lack of support at its annual meeting last month, a unanimous decision was made by the Okehampton and District Fireshow Committee that unless four new full committee members, including a chair, secretary and treasurer, and more supporters were found to undertake key roles in the show's organisation, there would be no option but for the charity to be formally closed. The fireshow event and associated arts and crafts activities in the community would cease to take place.

A spokesperson for the fireshow said: 'This decision has not been made lightly.

'Many of you will have at some time volunteered with the fireshow, or simply enjoyed a spectacular November 5, as the charity has been in operation for more than 30 years.

'The fireshow has contributed to the vibrancy of our local community and benefited local businesses by drawing in visitors.

'It is one of the most unique events in the whole country that really goes some way towards putting our villages on the map.'

An extraordinary meeting will be held tonight, which will be attended by the full current committee and the future of this year's fireshow and the years to come will be decided.

Outgoing artistic director Hilary Gillespie said: 'We've lost several committee members due to work commitments and age.

'Lots of supporters have done their stints and are now finding it difficult to keep up the commitment. Quite a lot of the work has fallen on the same few people.

'We really need new, young and enthusiastic people with fresh ideas to come forward to bring the fireshow forward into the future. The larger a group we could get together the more people we could call on at different times — even if people could only give a small amount of time, at least it's something.'

Mrs Gillespie said they would wait to see who turns up for the meeting and any ideas they may have on how to move forward. She said if they cannot get a full committee together, including the main officers — chair, treasurer and secretary — which is a legal requirement, the show would be unable to go forward. The charity would have to be dissolved and any funds it has would be given to a similar arts organisation.

Anyone with suggestions on how the fireshow could change and evolve are encouraged to attend the meeting at 7.30pm in the Phoenix Room of the King's Arms, South Zeal.

For more information please email [email protected]">[email protected]