Thanks also to our event sponsor All Set Security. Check them out at www.allsetsecurity.co.uk for all your security, alarm, CCTV, and access control needs.

It will be soggy underfoot and hopefully, the weather will be kind to us. Whack those wellies on and wrap up suitably for this outdoor event!

TIMINGS - gates will be open from 5:00pm, please arrive in plenty of time to minimise last minute queuing.

We will not be committing to bonfire lighting or fireworks launch timings in advance of the evening. We will follow similar timings to previous years and as always aim for a family-friendly finish. It is subject to the conditions and under the guidance of the technical safety team at Distant Thunder.

After the fireworks the DJ will keep the party going and the bar/food, fairground stalls will remain open. We will close down by 10:30pm to respect our neighbours.

ENTRANCE & EXIT - For all ticket holders, is via the gate at the end of the lane leading from the County Road junction with Manchester Road. For previous event attendees this will be where you exited, but this year it will be both the entrance and exit. We will have a team of friendly marshals in high viz vests around the entrance area to help you.

There is no vehicle access, including taxi drop-offs, to the lane leading to the entrance gate. We recommend getting dropped off on local roads and making a short walk to our site. The only exception is for pre-booked disabled car parking only. Please present your blue badge ticket at the entrance on arrival along with your groups other tickets.

Please make sure you have your tickets ready (printed or on your phone) to help reduce queuing times.

PARKING/TRAVEL – we have no parking facility on-site except for those pre-booked with blue badges, as mentioned above. There is some parking available behind the County Ground Hotel, next to the football stadium, available from 6pm. The car park is remaining open for our event so please ignore any contradictory signing.

With the STFC Vs Aldershot Town fixture please consider your travel options. There is additional parking in the Town Centre, we are close to the train and bus station and are a short walk from a large section of central Swindon. If you can walk on foot or take public transport we’d strongly recommend doing so.

PAYMENTS – our bar and food stalls will be CARD/CONTACTLESS ONLY to help with the queuing experience. You may bring some cash for the fairground rides, but they will also accept card/contactless.

NO PAVILION ACCESS - There is no access to the pavilion for the general public, with the exception of baby changing. The St Johns Ambulance team will be found here and safety team and lost child operations run from the pavilion also.

TOILETS – we have event toilets on-site including a disabled toilet facility.

DISABLED PATIO AREA - We have allocated an area for guests to the right-hand side of the pavilion. Please respect that this has been intended to make guests with a physical disability / mobility issues comfortable. It's not designed for large family groups to congregate and please work with us to ensure those with the greatest mobility needs are prioritised.

BAR & FOOD – from 5:00 pm there will be hot food including burgers, hot dogs, chips, and burritos (chicken, pork, veggie) served by ‘The Ridge' and 'Fiesta De Cuba' from outside stalls. There will also be hot drinks on offer and sweet treats on Scarrots stalls, selling sweets, candy floss, and doughnuts. The bar will serve alcoholic and soft drinks throughout the night. We will briefly cease serving during the fireworks display itself.

ENTERTAINMENT – our DJ will be playing shortly after the gates open and throughout the night. There will be several traditional fairground rides/games and in addition, we will have a face painter for the kids (big and small) and glow products available. This year we are also joined by stilt walkers and dinosaur handlers, who will be mingling with the crowd before the fireworks begin.

NO SPARKLERS - to ensure everyone’s safety we will not allow sparklers to be brought into the event and we will not be selling any on-site.

LITTER - we will do our best to look after you all to ensure you have a great night, all we ask is in return you look after our ground and help keep it clean and tidy. We will make sure there are bins dotted around.

We are so excited to host you on Saturday 4th November.

Warm regards,
Swindon CC team