Bonfire night cancelled by councils across UK in huge blow to classic British tradition
Some local authorities have called off Guy Fawkes celebrations for the third or fourth year in a row
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Councils across the country have cancelled their displays for Bonfire night after the price of fireworks has skyrocketed.
Some local authorities have called off Guy Fawkes celebrations for the third or fourth year in a row.
Aberdeenshire Council was the latest to cancel their display. The organisers cited issues with costs and “regulations” as the reasons.
Banff fireworks will no longer go ahead as planned on November 5, as organisers have found it hard to “conform to regulations”.
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A post on the event’s Facebook page stated: “Unfortunately we have to announce that this years event will NOT be going ahead.
“Over the past few years, we have had increasing difficulties conforming to the regulations placed upon us allowing us to hold the firework display.
“With ever increasing costs involved and the fact that we always said we would not charge an entry fee for the event, we have made the decision not to go ahead.
“We don't know what the future will hold for us but for now we would like to thank everyone that has helped and supported us over the years.”
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It joins numerous other councils that have axed their displays in recent years.
Nottingham Council has recently cancelled their display, saying it would be unable to host due to “increasing financial pressures in a very difficult current economic climate”.
The council say that costs have doubled since 2019.
This is the fourth year in a row that the event has been suspended, as 2020 and 2021 were affected due to the pandemic, and last year the celebrations were given the axe due to cost reasons.
Norwich Council have also not held their 5 November celebrations since 2019.
The local authority has been tasked with sourcing £6.2million in budget savings this year, and the fireworks display would have cost the council around £33,000.
Manchester City Council, which has also scrapped the event, said it would spend money on other seasonal celebrations, including pumpkin carving, “Halloween in the City”, and a Christmas parade.
In Swansea, the free beach event has been replaced by a ticketed “Night at the Movies” event.
A pack of fireworks for a commercial event can cost as much as £4,000
PA
Others have decided to shorten the displays or ticket the events in order to save money.
Rob Watling, owner of Peak Fireworks in Nottingham, said sharp increases in the cost of fireworks were a major factor in the decisions.
He said: “The first is the price of shipping from China. In the past few years, shipping costs have increased by over 400 per cent.”
A pack of fireworks for a commercial event can cost as much as £4,000.
Meanwhile, In Garforth, Leeds, the annual charity bonfire was called off due to a “massive spike” in local anti-social behaviour.
This is the first time in 40 years that the event will not go ahead.
Last year, a number of youths threw fireworks at the crowd.
One resident said: “What a shame that a mindless few have spoiled it for the majority.”