Thousands gather to enjoy Thurso street party fun
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AROUND 3000 people took in the New Year at the Hogmanay in Thurso street party.
The event went “very well”, according to HIT spokesman Graeme Dunnett.
“We had about the same number of people as last year. The weather was fine. Everybody behaved and there were no issues whatsoever,” he said.
“There were quite a few things on in the town on Hogmanay and I think a lot of people spent some time in the pubs and then came along to the street party.”
Around £1800 was raised in collections during the event – up £300 on last year’s total. The money will be used to help fund the 2013 street party. “The public were as generous as always,” said Mr Dunnett.
He explained that the organisers will be holding a meeting later in the month to review the party and see if anything needs to be improved. The annual general meeting will then be held in February but Mr Dunnett does not anticipate any problems getting a committee formed for the next event.
On Saturday night, the entertainment got under way at 9.30pm when local high school band Broadsheet Rhetorics took to the stage.
“People were very supportive of the band who were excellent. It was a good opportunity for them to play in front of a large crowd,” he said.
About 10pm The Jacks came on and played until the countdown to the new year and a performance by the lone piper at the bells. The arrival of 2012 signalled a pyrotechnics display which went down well with the crowd. Afterwards The Jacks went back on stage and carried on the musical entertainment. There had been a scare for the band before the event when guitarist Kevin Jack injured his hand over the festive period. He slipped on ice and damaged his wrist and was not sure initially if he would be able to perform.
A replacement guitarist was earmarked to take his place but in the end was not required as Kevin managed to play.
The revellers had been asked to bring only plastic bottles to the street party for safety reasons, while plastic glasses were available at the entry points.
It was a call which seems to have been answered. “People decanted their drink at home and put it into plastic bottles which they took with them,” said Mr Dunnett.
“We issued plastic glasses at the party and that made it safer for the public but also easier to tidy up afterwards.”
He praised the stewards and the police for their efforts in ensuring that the event was well run. Wick-based police sergeant Donald MacDonald said there were no problems at the street party. “The combination of alcohol and a large crowd can be a worry but people enjoyed themselves and everything went swimmingly,” he said yesterday.
He did say that on four occasions officers confiscated alcohol from underage youngsters and disposed of it.
“But all in all everything went very well,” he added.
There was no street party in Wick this year but local Blackstairs Bar and Lounge owner Ryan Cook organised a “Groundhogmanay” party on Friday night with local band Jude which sold out in six hours.
On Hogmanay, lead singer of the Complete Stone Roses, Jon Mackenzie, performed a free gig at the venue.
