SO November 5 approaches again, in spite of your inspired BEN campaign last year and the matter being raised in Parliament by local MP David Crausby, no progress seems to have been made.
David believes the answer to the problem is organised firework displays. The old Farnworth Council came to the same conclusion in the 1960s and acted accordingly. Isn't' it time Bolton Council caught up?
At that time Farnworth had a council sponsored 'Home Safety Committee' chaired by my late wife Betty.
On the Committee were representatives of the Ambulance Services, Fire Brigade, Police, Social Services, Education Service, Old People's Welfare, Farnworth Journal, voluntary bodies and public-spirited individuals.
Betty at the time was also Secretary to the local Boy Scouts Association when a scout 'lost his manhood' when a bunch of fireworks exploded in his trouser pocket.
She raised the matter at a meeting. I have attended many meetings, but I can remember none where agreed opinion was so unanimous. All agreed that fireworks were a menace in the hands of children, and were of the opinion that the answer was a civil bonfire and firework display.
Betty approached the Council. The Entertainment Committee, who at that time could spend a sixpenny rate (2p) agreed to a one off event, provided statistics on the affect of the event on the various services were kept and sent to the Council.
The event was well attended and a success, various people submitted reports including the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service and the hospital outpatients, who all showed a drop on calls for their help.
A headmaster reported a drop in early November school absences, unsolicited reports from the Highways and Street Cleansing Departments reported less debris in back streets etc. No doubt I have forgotten other reports, I wonder if they are still available in the Council archives?
The Council agreed to an annual November 5 event. Then after a few years tragedy hit Farnworth, we were taken over by Bolton Council, the Conservative controlled and the event was cancelled. Can we have it back please?
George K Brown
Barncroft Road
Farnworth
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