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Full list of Bonfire Night displays canceled in seven towns and cities | UK News

Full list of Bonfire Night displays canceled in seven towns and cities | UK News

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tom Nicholson/Shutterstock (9960666c) The Annual Blackheath Fireworks Show Blackheath Fireworks Display, London, UK - 03 November 2018
Many community groups and councils are struggling to cope with rising costs (Image: Shutterstock)

A series of important Bonfire night Celebrations have been canceled across the UK and more events are threatened.

The reasons for the cancellations vary, but mainly revolve around costs, which organizers say have skyrocketed in recent years.

Some of the events, which would have taken place on Guy Fawkes Night (November 5) or the weekend before, have been canceled several years in a row, so their cancellations will not come as a surprise to locals.

Others were surprise additions, like one that had to be abandoned after a flood left the host park severely waterlogged.

Here’s a list of the major Bonfire Night events whose cancellations have been publicly announced, spanning seven cities and towns across the UK.

London

So far this year, three Bonfire Night performances in the capital have been cancelled.

The biggest is the Victoria Park event in Tower Hamlets, which has been canceled for the last four years in a row. The city council will not hold exhibitions in any of its parks.

The annual exhibition at Carshalton Park in Carshalton, south London, successfully returned after the pandemic but has now been canceled for the first time since.

Organizers blamed “increasing costs”, declining numbers of volunteers and “insufficient support from our council”.


People watching bonfire nighttime fireworks at Tower Hamlets London Weavers Fields display 2013
There will be no bonfire night events at Weavers Fields this year (Image: Getty Images)

Blackheath Fireworks in Blackheath, south-east London, once touted as London’s largest free fireworks show, has been canceled for the fifth year in a row.

Lewisham Council, which provides most of the funding supported by community fundraising, said it could not justify spending money “for just one night” on “vital services” such as adult social care and children’s services.

Manchester

Several events in Manchester were also canceled for the fifth year in a row.

All public bonfire nights and fireworks organized by Manchester City Council will not take place this year.

They include the main Heaton Park display and similar events at eight other venues including Platt Fields Park, Cringle Park, Debdale Park and Wythenshawe Park.

The council said it had “reprioritised” funding in favor of other free autumn and winter community events, such as Halloween in the city and the Christmas parade.

SheffieldEdit

This year there will be no bonfires or fireworks at Manor Fields Park, Sheffield, which is usually attended by thousands of people on Guy Fawkes Night.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to raise the necessary funds and have reduced the capacity of staff and volunteers to help organize such a large event,” said organizers, drawn from community groups involved in the park.

“There are additional health and safety requirements and also environmental reasons why we cannot go ahead with the event this year.”


NEWS - UK - Full list of Bonfire Night fireworks shows canceled across the UK in 2024 (SEO)
A statement from the organizers of the Manor Fields Park exhibition

Nottingham

A major free Bonfire Night event in Nottingham was also canceled for the fifth year in a row.

The event at Forest Recreation Ground, which normally includes a huge fireworks display, “would not be viable” this year due to “significant cost pressures”, Nottingham City Council said.

The council said in 2023 that the cost of hosting the event had doubled since it was last held in 2019, a situation likely to be reflected in areas across the country.

colchester

A popular show in Colchester, Essex, scheduled for November 3, will not go ahead this year, apparently due to a dispute between rugby players and horse owners.

Colchester Rugby Club said it canceled its fireworks event at Raven Park “due to unreasonable pressure from the local equine community”.

The club held a silent fireworks display last year following pressure from the area’s many horse owners, which reportedly included legal threats.

But he said the trial was an “absolute disaster”, prompting “aggressive” behavior from customers who were “frustrated” and demanding refunds.

Organizers decided to return to a normal exhibition “with a bang” this year, but again faced pressure from locals.

“Colchester Rugby Club is surrounded by fields with dozens of horses and we were all terrified for the safety of our horses,” Rachel Kennedy, 53, told the BBC, describing the decision to cancel the event as a “relief.”

Pontypridd


NEWS - UK - Full list of Bonfire Night fireworks shows canceled across the UK in 2024 (SEO) - Ponty Big Bang
The creative Ponty Big Bang in Pontypridd also came out with a whimper.

The annual Ponty Big Bang fireworks show at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, has been canceled due to flooding.

The park flooded almost a month ago, but the damage to the land is so severe that organizers decided they could not hold the event, which normally includes a small fairground.

Organizers said: “We very much look forward to its return in 2025!”

it’s worth it

A seaside fireworks show in Worthing, West Sussex, has been canceled due to safety concerns at the pier that hosts it.

Worthing Pier was deemed unsafe after one of its supports suffered storm damage and contractors sent to repair it found further damage to other supports.

Council leader Sophie Cox said: “We have worked closely with the (Worthing) Lions to try to find an alternative location, but this is such a big event and we have had so little time that it has been impossible.”

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

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