THE early start for the skyline fireworks on November 5 has been influenced by a range of factors (Letters, October 24 and 26).

These include:

The programme is for a family audience. This will include, in the city centre, national street entertainers from 2.30pm to 6.15pm, a bells, brass and percussion symphony from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, and skyline fireworks from 5.30pm to 5.45pm, which will be visible from around the city

The church bells used in the symphony include those at the Minster, St Michael-le-Belfrey and St Wilfrid's. The symphony therefore needs to end in time to avoid a clash with a performance by the Yorkshire Bach Choir in St Michael-le-Belfrey at 7.30pm and with the Minster Evensong at 5.30pm and the Mass at 6.15pm in St Wilfrid's.

This is why, since some earlier publicity was produced, we have put the firework start time back as much as possible.

I can promise that our entire programme of events, from Saturday onwards, is designed to be appropriate for York and that the festivities on November 5 will end in time for families to stage their own, traditional celebrations.

Peter Boardman,

Cultural Events Manager,

City of York Council,

Back Swinegate, York.

Updated: 09:27 Thursday, October 27, 2005