Plymouth bonfire night back with a bang

One off event will help families have fun

A bonfire night and a firework display is returning to Plymouth Hoe this year and will be the centrepiece of free fun campaign as part of the city’s cost of living action plan.

Deputy leader of the Labour controlled Plymouth City Council Cllr Jemima Laing (Lab, Stoke) announced that the event on Sunday 5 November is being organised as a ‘one-off’ to bring everyone together.

“We know that fun events are the first things that have to be given up when there is a financial squeeze and these little extras are what make life worth living.

“They have steadily slipped away for so many families who have to choose between heating and eating. That’s why we wanted to provide this free fun, so they don’t have to worry about things like buying a meal or a school uniform and we can come together on the Hoe just like we always have done.”.

The event, which has attracted up to 30,000 people in the past, is being put on by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and the council’s events team.

It will include fairground rides, catering stalls and a large bonfire, and will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display set off from the walls of the Royal Citadel.

Other costs for this year’s event will be covered from existing staff resources and budgets.

The future of the event is unsure unless more sponsorship can be found. It had previously been withdrawn from the calendar as part of Plymouth’s Council 2022 budget savings, a decision made by the previous Conservative administration.

Separately, Cllr Sue Dann (Lab, Sutton and Mount Gould), cabinet member for customer services, sport and leisure, said a cost-of-living action plan kicked in at the end of the summer holidays following a fit-and-fed programme of events at which 24,000 activities, sessions and free meals were provided for children.

Four hundred people from toddlers to grandparents attended an event at the free-to-use Mount Wise swimming pools recently, organised by Plymouth Active Leisure.

A social media campaign was keeping Plymouth residents up-to-date and there would be advice on dealing with debt and food on a budget. By the end of October there will be information on warm spaces in the city, how to plan for Christmas and energy costs.

The website gives information on how to get financial support and housing costs, help to find a new job, and mental health support. The council is working with banks to try to ease the financial pressures on local people.

Cllr Dann said the council is trying to be proactive at a time when many people are finding themselves in a tight financial situation.