Christchurch Rotary fireworks night cancelled for third year amid Stanpit Marsh safety concerns

SAFETY concerns have forced organisers to cancel a popular Christchurch fireworks display for the third year running.

The Christchurch Rotary Bonfire and Fireworks event – part of the community’s Guy Fawkes night celebrations for over 40 years – was due to have been staged at Stanpit Marsh on 6th November.

However, the club announced it can no longer go ahead as the site needs to undergo extensive tests to ensure it is safe. It vowed the event will return “bigger and better” in November 2022.

This comes after last year’s display was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, and adverse weather put paid to it the previous year.

BCP Council is organising the site testing, with appropriate funding in place. But Christchurch Rotary said the time required meant it would not be completed in time for it to make the necessary arrangements with organisations for this year’s event.

Organiser Paul Mills said: “We in Christchurch Rotary Club are really sorry that we cannot run the bonfire and fireworks this year, but we do recognise the paramount need to guarantee public safety.

“We are grateful to BCP Council for undertaking the testing, and we all hope that November 2022 will see a new edition of our bonfire night. We will be working with BCP officers to that end.”

Over the years the displays have raised thousands of pounds for local youth charities and organisations.

The club is organising a new initiative, the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar, which will involve a series of early evening performances in December benefiting 24 local charities – one for each day of Advent.

More details will be revealed nearer the time at christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk