A charity barbecue which has raised thousands of pounds for charity during the past 10 years is to have its final fling this weekend.
The tenth and final Tony’s Bigger BBQ will be held on Sunday at Wellington Cricket Club from 2pm until 7.30pm, and organiser Tony Nicholls hopes to go out with a bang.
Starting from humble beginnings on the Old Rifle Range in 2000, Tony’s Bigger BBQ has raised £16,500 for the local branch of the NSPCC and Hope House. And this year Tony, who works at Ken Francis butchers in Wellington, is hoping for generous crowds, great weather, and a wonderful finale.
He said: “We’ve got a few extra attractions that we haven’t had before, like David from Dudley Zoo who’s bringing a group of exotic creatures along like a giant cockroach.
“There’ll also be a one mile race for all ages and abilities you can enter before or on the day, and amazing prizes with lots of age categories covered. And there’ll be a balloon race, real ale beer tent, tea, coffee and cakes, beat the goalie, a coconut shy, and live music with a Coldplay tribute, Cheeky Girlz, Jim Onslow, a boy band tribute, and loads more.
“Everyone who’s helped in the past and for this one have my heartfelt gratitude and admiration. I want everybody who’s ever helped to get together for a big photo to give them a little memento of the occasion.
“It always asks a lot of my friends and family to put on this event, and its meant they haven’t been able to go away for the bank holiday for the last 10 years. I’ve got involved with running other events as well since this started, and I’ve got a one year old son, so it seemed the right time to finish the event.”
Tickets are £1 concessions, £2 adults in advance, available from Ken Francis butchers, the Cock Hotel and the Old Orleton in Wellington. Admission is 50p extra on the day.
By Pam Griffin