Drone footage of a huge bonfire that “thousands” will watch burn

Organizers say the huge bonfire will be even better than last year’s

12:18, November 3, 2024Updated at 12:20 p.m., November 3, 2024

A huge bonfire being built in Ilchester Park in Birkenhead(Image: Handout)

Drone footage shows a huge bonfire being built in a Merseyside park ahead of Bonfire Night. A huge pile of wood and rubbish was organized by a group of eight friends in Ilchester Park Birkenhead.

Echo understands Wirral Merseyside Council and Fire and Rescue Service have issued guidance to organizers to ensure everyone’s safety. This is the fourth time the group has started a community bonfire in Ilchester Park.

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One of the organisers, James, told the ECHO: “Last year we had thousands of people. It was wonderful. We’re trying to do it better this year, but not necessarily more.” James and his friends collected rubbish from all over the Wirral to prepare a bonfire.

James said: “We use a lot of old pallets – we just go round the pallet yards to collect them. We also collect things from the streets where people have thrown firewood etc. There are a lot of flies, so we I also tried to clean the streets a little.’

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The community bonfire has been a longstanding tradition in northern Birkenhead, even as other organized events have faded away. At last year’s event, about 200 volunteers helped light the fire and keep it as safe as possible.

One of the volunteers, 48-year-old Paula, has been participating for almost 40 years, following in her dad’s footsteps. She told the ECHO at the time: “It’s generational, it’s passed down. My son is 30 and he was building one too. But I think because I’ve been here for so many years, it’s become a part of me; I like to help.

“The children will also help when they come home from school. This is a big community, bonfire evening. He simply unites everyone.”

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This year, responding to health and safety issues, the organizers took part in Wirral Council and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to ensure no one was injured. The fire department is reportedly monitoring the construction work to make sure it doesn’t get too close to the road.

A huge bonfire being built in Ilchester Park in Birkenhead(Image: Handout)

James said: “At one point it was too wide and the fire service recommended that we move it a bit. So we removed the outer ring and added it to the pile. We also have someone watching it at night to make sure no one lights it.”

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The group says they are also taking steps to protect wildlife that may inadvertently seek refuge in the structure and be harmed. James said: “We have a cage around us and someone keeps an eye on it, so the hedgehogs have to be protected.”

The event will take place on November 5 from 18:00 to 22:00, and the bonfire is expected to be lit around 18:30. There will be music, DJs and food trucks on site, as well as a first aid station.