On the eve of Remembrance Sunday, Bournemouth’s biggest fireworks party has a special theme this year in support of the Poppy Appeal.

Bournemouth Fireworks’ Remember, Remember night on Saturday, November 8 at the Littledown Centre will commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War One with a unique fireworks show set to appropriately stirring music.

Programmed by Peter Theakston, operations manager of Pains Fireworks, the Remember, Remember display at 8pm will feature a medley of The Dambusters March, I Vow To Thee My Country, 633 Squadron Theme, a selection from Tommy’s Tunes, Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines, A Life On the Ocean Wave, Rule Britannia! and Land Of Hope And Glory.

“I’m looking forward to creating a special sequence to highlight the Poppy Appeal on what is sure to be a very special night and a chance for everyone to pay tribute to the Armed Forces,” said Peter, who lives in Bournemouth himself.

“I hope everyone enters into the spirit of the event and wears their poppy with pride.”

The evening will be particularly poignant for Peter, who was a musician in the Army for 20 years, and saw service in the Gulf War and in Kosovo.

He added: “It’s the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the music we’ve chosen looks after the RAF side of things, the Navy and the Royal Marines, because it’s also their 350th anniversary.

“We’ve got a red sequence so there’s going to be part of the display which will be totally red.”

Peter, who has worked for Pains Fireworks for the last 12 years, has worked with the display organisers for a number of years on the event, and said they all agreed it would be fitting to stage a tribute to the armed forces this year.

“Usually, with the ideas initially, then the design of the show and putting it all together it takes about a week,” he said.

“It’s all in production now and it will be ready by the night. We are hoping people will recognise the tunes and their associations. We are finishing off with Rule Britannia and Land Of Hope And Glory, so people can get their flags out.

“We are hoping it will go down well.”

The display will be just one of three on the night, with a children’s show at 7pm set to music including Disney theme tunes, and a final, pop music display at 9pm.

As well as the three fireworks displays there will be a free entry indoor Family Zone, Get Set Go Karting and Crazy Creatures, plus a funfair, licensed bar, refreshments and entertainment including Avonbourne Gymnastic Club, a Taekwondo display and live on stage presenters from Heart FM.

  •  Gates open at 5.30pm with fireworks displays at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Bournemouth Fireworks also supports Bournemouth Hospital’s Jigsaw Appeal. Ticket Hotline 0844 576 3000.