One of the firefighters looking after the bonfire is pictured above.

6 November 2008

An estimated 1,000 people turned out for last night’s community bonfire and firework celebration on the Lakes Estate in Bletchley. It was held at Leon School in Fern Grove, with entertainment afterwards at the Lakes Estate Community Centre.

The evening was organised by the Lakes Estate Neighbourhood Action Group, with support from Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes Council, Milton Keynes Community Safety Partnership, Tesco and local volunteers and businesses.

The event helps the NAG tackle one of the top priorities identified by local residents – anti-social behaviour. The idea is that as well providing a special night for the community, it will discourage people from lighting bonfires in parts of the estate where they are likely to cause a nuisance.

Councillor Reg Edwards, one of Eaton Manor’s representatives on Milton Keynes Council and a member of Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said: “It’s been a fabulous event – 10 out of 10 to all the people who put it together, and to the community for joining together and appreciating it.”

Station Manager Chris Gill of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, who is Milton Keynes Community Safety Partnership’s anti-social behaviour project officer, said: “This event is partnership working between the community and local agencies at its best.

“Nuisance bonfires can cause distress and alarm, especially to those people who live close to them. Although firefighters were called out to six nuisance bonfires in the area between 6.15pm and the early hours of the morning, we’re not going to let a few people cast a shadow over a very successful event.”