6 November 2006

Pictured from the top: Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's Pete Jones with the bonfire; volunteer Ayesha Khanom, a youth worker with Milton Keynes Youth Service, with a mouth-watering chicken biriani; the bonfire at its peak; and crowds enjoying the fireworks.

An estimated 2,500 people turned out for Saturday’s community bonfire and firework celebration on the Lakes Estate in Bletchley. It was held at The Warren, off Windermere Drive, to mark Guy Fawkes’ Night, Diwali and Eid.

For the second year running, the event was organised and funded by Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service in partnership with Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes Racial Equality Council, Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council, Milton Keynes Council of Voluntary Organisations, Midsummer Housing Association and local volunteers and businesses.

The event was described afterwards by Milton Keynes Racial Equality Council as the type of occasion which "helps represent everything we stand for".

Firefighters, Millennium Volunteers, police and residents spent hours building the bonfire, erecting marquees, constructing a stage and securing the area.

A variety of food was prepared by local volunteers to give everyone a taste of traditional cuisines from different cultures. They included chicken biriani from the Asian community, jerk chicken and black eyed beans from the Caribbean community and the classic jacket potato from the English community.

Walking buses were organised for residents to form a parade to the bonfire, and a local samba band played throughout the procession.

Pete Jones, a member of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: “I would like to thank everyone who made it such a success. Events like this bring out the very best in the Lakes Estate’s community spirit and it’s a real pleasure to see it and feel it.

“My only disappointment is that we were called to 19 nuisance bonfires in the area in the first five days of November – but we’re not going to let a few people cast a shadow over the day bearing in mind several thousand people live here.

“Looking on the bright side, there were only two nuisance bonfires in the whole of October, making a total of 21. Although this is twice as many as last year, it’s half the figure for the year before.”

Navrita Atwal, Director of Milton Keynes Racial Equality Council, said: “We were delighted to be involved in an event which celebrated the diversity of the Lakes Estate. This area has a diverse community and that was evident as residents from various races, creeds and cultures came together as one.

“We are continually striving for equality in society and this type of occasion helps represent everything we stand for.”

Sergeant Albert Bernard, Neighbourhood Sergeant for the Lakes Estate, said: "The community bonfire event was the perfect example of multi-agency working at its best. The event was well supported with a tremendous turnout. As far as police were concerned there were no issues or incidents to deal with at the event and a good night was had by all - especially the local community."

Richard Solly, Milton Keynes Council’s Community Safety Manager, said: “It’s an excellent way of bringing the community together. If the event is to continue in future years we will promote greater involvement from all partners.”

Angela Rice, Milton Keynes Council of Voluntary Organisations’ Community Mobiliser for the Lakes Estate, said: “Well done to all those involved in the event and thank-you to those who attended.”

Jan Lloyd, who chairs Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council, said: “We are delighted that for the second year running this successful event has been enjoyed by all ages and by all sections of the community. We would like to thank everyone involved for all the hard work during the year which has led up to the event.”

Sue Hopkins, Head of Housing at Midsummer Housing Association, said: “This is the second year that Midsummer Housing Association have provided funding for this community event. It was great to see so many residents thoroughly enjoying the event, which many of them helped to organise. Events such as the community bonfire help to demonstrate how people can work together and achieve great things for their local community.”