Woodchurch bonfire cancelled over council size restrictions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 14:32 · Archive

The annual Woodchurch bonfire on a Wirral estate has been cancelled by its organisers due to council-imposed size limitations.

The annual November 5 bonfire on the Woodchurch estate in Wirral has been cancelled by Woodchurch Connect, the charity that organises it. Described as one of the largest bonfires in Merseyside, the event had been a regular fixture on the estate with many residents gathering around the blaze.

The cancellation follows safety restrictions imposed by Wirral Council. The Wirral Globe reports that the council limited the bonfire to a maximum size of 3x3x4 metres, which organisers argued was closer to a campfire than a traditional community bonfire. Wirral Council confirmed that Woodchurch Connect had withdrawn from the event and said it had been working with organisers towards staging a safe event on council land following a meeting of the multi-agency Wirral Events Safety Advisory Group.

In a statement on its Facebook page, Woodchurch Connect said the organisers 'have faced numerous challenges for the last couple of years which were unachievable for them' and thanked everyone who supported and helped raise funding. The charity described it as 'a sad day for the community'. Wirral Council said it had similar arrangements in place with organisers of other community bonfire and firework events across Wirral.

How it is being reported

• Woodchurch community bonfire cancelled after size limitsA MAJOR Wirral community bonfire event will not be taking place this year, its organisers have confirmedWirral Globe · 15 Oct, 13:52
• Woodchurch bonfire cancelled despite organisers 'trying their best'Wirral Council said it was "disappointed" that organisers had withdrawnLiverpool Echo · 15 Oct, 11:19

In this story: Woodchurch Connect · Wirral Council · Woodchurch · Wirral · Merseyside

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