Free firework display to be held in Thornes Park for bonfire night

A free community firework display is returning to Thornes Park.
A free community firework display is returning to Thornes Park. Stock image.A free community firework display is returning to Thornes Park. Stock image.
A free community firework display is returning to Thornes Park. Stock image.

The annual bonfire event was scrapped by Wakefield Council back in 2016 and the Express teamed up with the friends of CHat Parks to get it reinstated.

And today Wakefield Council has announced it is funding the free community event which is being presented by Melvyn Eddy after the Friends of CHaT Parks.

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Deputy Leader, Coun Denise Jeffery, said: “We understood that people were disappointed when we had to stop our annual event at Thornes Park. We also know it’s important that it remains a free event so have offered financial support to the organisers.”

Coun Michael Graham has worked closely with the Friends of CHaT Parks to get the event up and running.

He said: “The firework display at Thornes Park has been missed by residents and we have worked hard to try and find a way to bring a community event back to the park.

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"Firework displays bring communities together and this event is something that will bring some fun and sparkle to local residents in the area.”

Ian Deighton, Chairman of the Friends of CHaT Parks, said: “Thornes Park is an ideal location for an annual firework event, which has been sorely missed by the local community in recent years.

“On behalf of the Friends of CHaT Parks, I’d like to thank the Wakefield Express and others for getting behind the campaign to provide a safe event in the park.

"I’d also like to thank Cllr Michael Graham and Wakefield Council for finding a way to help us to establish a community event and, although it won’t be on the same scale as previous year’s events, it will be a fantastic evening for the local community to enjoy.”

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The event takes place on Saturday, November 2, and starts at 6pm with a low noise children’s firework display at approximately 6.30pm.

The main firework display starts at approximately 8.30pm.

Melvyn Eddy said: “It’s great to be able to help to ensure that there will be a firework display this year. My family has been associated with the event in Thornes Park for a number of generations and we wish to keep the tradition alive.

“We are pleased to be working with the Friends of ChaT Parks to promote the park, make the event happen, and for Wakefield Council’s support to keep it a free entry event. I hope everybody comes along and has an enjoyable evening.”

No fireworks, sparklers or alcohol will be allowed on site for health and safety reasons. Anyone attending the event is advised to wear appropriate footwear as ground conditions can be slippery.

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Ridings FM will be on stage throughout the night and there will be entertainment including fire breathers, LED dance-bots, hot and cold food, as well as a family funfair - subject to ground conditions.

There will be a voluntary bucket collection for the Friends of ChaT Parks (charity number 1166255) at the firework display and the local community are asked to give generously towards keeping attractions in the park.

The event has received £42k funding from Wakefield Council to enable the independent organisers to keep it as a free community event.

Full details of the event can be found at the Friends of CHaTs Park website and Facebook page.