Bonfire night "banned" in Guy Fawkes' home town!!

Health and safety killjoys ban bonfire night - in Guy Fawkes' home town

By CHRIS BROOKE - More by this author » Last updated at 18:23pm on 22nd October 2007

York: The birth place of Guy Fawkes will not hold a fireworks event this year after the city council refused York football ground a safety certifcate to host the event

For years the birthplace of Guy Fawkes has hosted suitably spectacular fireworks displays on Bonfire Night.

But on 5 November this year residents and tourists in the historic city of York will have to amuse themselves after officials forced the cancellation of the only major public event.

Penny-pinching council chiefs and health and safety 'killjoys' have been blamed for the decision to axe traditional bonfire night festivities.

For years the city held colourful displays in front of huge crowds, with the racecourse and the 13th Century Clifford's Tower providing the setting for events in years gone by.

Last year was the first for many years that the council refused to organise a gunpowder plot celebration for 'cost' reasons and this year officials have been blamed for scuppering a planned event at the city's football ground.

Up to 1,000 people have previously gathered at the football ground for a fireworks spectacular, but this year York City FC has been refused a safety licence.

Commenting on the lack of festivities in the historic city, Gillian Cruddas, the chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said:'It's such a shame because there's continued interest in York at this time of year, partly because of the Guy Fawkes connection.

"Bonfire Night is something that's unique to the UK, so our overseas visitors in particular find it fascinating. It's disappointing we can't take full advantage of all the interest Bonfire Night generates both from the media and visitors.

"We believe there's a strong demand from residents as well to enjoy a safe public display. It's often a real let-down to our callers when they ring up to find out what's going on in the city to celebrate Bonfire Night.'

Local Conservative councillor Ken King said: "I think it will be a damp squib for the residents. I firmly believe that organised displays are the best for enjoying the festivities. They have proved in the past to cut the accident rate and they are much safer."

Explaining the decision to cancel the event, football club spokeswoman Sophie McGill, said a failure to obtain a licence was to blame.

Dick Haswell, head of licensing and bereavement services, City of York Council, said: "Because the football club was proposing to hold a firework display in a certified sports ground, legally, they had to apply to York's Safety at Sports Advisory Group for a Special Safety Certificate. Unfortunately the ground was not large enough to provide the necessary distance between the area where fireworks could fall and spectators."

Defending the move not to host an official event, a City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately the cost of holding a large-scale display is extremely high. The cost of the fireworks is always the smaller element for large, traditional style displays, with a considerable amount of money needed to address the health and safety measures of having large numbers of people in close proximity to the fireworks."