Willenhall Bonfire Night event scuppered by security and safety fears - councillor
Security and safety concerns were among the reasons why Willenhall did not have its own Bonfire Night and fireworks this year, it has been revealed.
Despite a sell-out event taking place at Willenhall Memorial Park in 2022, Walsall Council only held shows at Walsall Arboretum and the King George V field in Bloxwich on November 4 and 5.
Council bosses said movement on the site at last year’s event had been difficult and to host a show this year would have meant reducing the 4,500 capacity to enable it to be held safely.
Leader Mike Bird added there were also parts of the park where people often "hid", which posed more health and safety risks.
The issue was raised by Willenhall South ward councillor Simran Cheema at a full council meeting on Monday.
She said: “Given the huge popularity of Willenhall bonfire celebrations, can the portfolio holder inform me why the decision was made to axe Willenhall Bonfire Night, and why only Bloxwich and Walsall were given consideration and the go-ahead?”
Councillor Bird said: “Due to the size of the event space, Willenhall Memorial Park is limited in its size capacity in this type of event.
“The number of people allowed on site is further reduced as most of the field is cordoned off for the bonfire and fireworks, for safety reasons.
“Although the event in 2022 went ahead with no casualties, due to the various pinch points on site and the distance which people have to be held back, movement on the site is and was difficult.
“The site does not have good visibility and we have problems with people hiding on site on numerous occasions and locations, which is a security risk and a potential risk to those individuals if they are in the firework fallout location.
“Should an incident take place, safely managing the crowd off site would be extremely difficult and following the sell-out event in 2022, we would have to reduce the capacity further to be content we’re putting on a safe event.
“Willenhall Park is an excellent site for other events and has a good programme delivered throughout the summer.
“The council should work in partnership with these organisations to provide a continued programme of excellent events for the Willenhall residents.
“Unlike many councils, Walsall still puts on traditional bonfire events as we recognise it is a centuries-old tradition enjoyed by many.
“However, there are several associated issues including health and safety, antisocial behaviour, animal welfare and sustainability.
“Some of these issues can be mitigated through professionally organised events. Financial and site constraints meant we have stopped our two smaller events and now focus on the two larger events.”
