Appeal to teens to ditch bonfire

Appeal to teens to ditch bonfire

29 October 2014

TEENAGERS collecting rubbish for a Halloween bonfire at the Flying Horse estate in Downpatrick have been asked to abandon their plans.

The appeal has been issued by members of the Downpatrick Community Collective, an umbrella organisation for six community groups who joined forces to address anti-social behaviour issues associated with the annual Halloween celebrations in their areas.

Members of the Collective are encouraging young people gathering material for the Flying Horse bonfire to stop what they are doing and participate in this Friday night’s Halloween entertainment programme in the town centre instead.

The event features a fancy dress parade, fireworks display and bonfire beacon. There will also be prizes for the best carved pumpkin, while the trees adjacent to the St. Patrick Centre will be the centrepiece for a spooky trail and ghost stories.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe said there is concern that teenagers have been gathering old tyres, wooden doors, carpet and other material to have their own bonfire at the Flying Horse. He said a 20 year-old tree at the front of the estate has been chopped down.

“The Collective has worked hard to provide Halloween activities in Downpatrick town centre and to move away from bonfires in various parts of the town which are not regulated and dangerous,” he said. “The Collective is not out to spoil anyone’s fun. The intention is to make Halloween safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Councillor Mac Con Midhe said the Collective has contacted Down Council, the Housing Executive and Trinity Housing to have material which is being dumped on their land removed. He also appealed to residents, business owners and contractors not dispose of waste material by giving it to young people for an unauthorised bonfire.

Ann Grant, from the Co. Down Rural Community Network, said the Collective does not want to discourage anyone from having fun at Halloween.

“Our primary concern is for young people to be mindful about health and safety and to keep the housing estates where they live tidy. We would encourage everyone to attend the Halloween celebrations in the town centre,” she added.

Jenny Laverty, from the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum, said residents do not want to see rubbish strewn about the place.

“Parts of the estate are quite dirty and having rubbish piled up for a bonfire is not helping the situation. We have spoken with young people gathering material for their bonfire and hope they will attend the town centre celebrations instead,” she said.

“One of our priorities is ensuring Halloween celebrations are safe and enjoyable. That’s we have out so much effort into the programme we have organised for this Friday night.”

Collective member, Macartan Digney, believes Halloween bonfires lit at housing estates on Halloween night should be confined to the past.

“Essentially, these bonfires are illegal and non one has control over what is being burnt. The Community Collective has worked hard over the past three years to provide family Halloween entertainment in the town centre and we would encourage everyone to support this event,” he added.