Boundary Park to stage Council event
A spectacular fireworks display will light up the Oldham sky as a hugely-popular family event returns with a bang on Guy Fawkes Night.
Oldham Council is reviving a free civic bonfire and fireworks display in 2012 after an absence of more than a decade.
The move will see a fantastic range of family-oriented attractions on offer at Boundary Park on Monday, November 5 (from 5pm-9pm).
A professional fireworks display will be the centrepiece – boasting a dazzling array of traditional favourites with a real ‘wow’ factor.
There will also be a small bonfire, street entertainers, family games and activities, plus food stalls selling traditional bonfire night grub.
The fun event – planned in close consultation with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police – is designed to maximise public safety on Bonfire Night.
Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Assistant Cabinet Member, said: “We want local families to have fun – and keep safe – on Bonfire Night in Oldham.
the Mela and the People’s Carnival.,“This year has seen some fantastic events which communities have all rallied around and enjoyed: including the Olympic Torch parade, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Oldham Beer Festival
“Everyone enjoys a good family event and historically the bonfires at Alexandra Park organised by the Round Table were extremely popular. They attracted big crowds and we believe there’s a genuine public appetite to reinstate this on the annual calendar of events.
“We have a very clear focus here on what we want to achieve. Not only do we want to deliver a feel-good family event but we also want to do our bit to maximise public safety on Bonfire Night and let people enjoy it in a safe and controlled environment.
“It’s obvious that staging a larger event like this can help to discourage smaller groups of people from holding unsupervised bonfires elsewhere – events which we know can put great pressure on emergency response services.”
The Bonfire Night event will be held on the car park at the rear of the former Broadway Stand at Oldham Athletic. This will host the bonfire and other public attractions.
The firework display will be released from a safe environment on the Clayton Playing Fields.
Oldham Council has already written to neighbouring residents outlining the plans and arrangements in place.
Councillor Chadderton added: “We’re taking great care to ensure this causes the minimum possible disruption to people living close to Boundary Park.
“We’ve written to residents explaining exactly how we intend to deal with a range of matters including car parking, fire and crowd safety, and site security. We have also invited them to contact us if they have any concerns they do not feel have been addressed.
“We are very excited about these plans and hope that the public will come out in force to support the return of a fun – and safe – family night out.”
Oldham Council will be publicising further detailed information about arrangements and attractions at this event in the run-up to Guy Fawkes Night via local media and its own information channels.