Darwen Town Council, in consultation with Darwen Cricket Club, have come to the decision that due to the next phase of development at the Birch Hall ground, scheduled to start in Autumn of this year the bonfire and fireworks display in November will have to be cancelled for this year.

The event has become increasingly popular and this decision was extremely difficult to make but public safety was paramount in making it; alternative venues were raised but none had the facility to implement the high level of security and safety control that is needed for an event which was attended by nearly 4,000 residents last year.

The Town Council thank the Cricket Club for both hosting the event and organising the associated attractions these past years and will consult with them following completion of the club’s developments in the hope that next year we can look forward to the Town’s Bonfire and Firework display taking place at what will be an exceptionally fine venue at Birch Hall.

In accepting the decision to cancel the bonfire the Council recognised that it is also a charity event that has, thanks to the ever generous Darwen public, raised thousands of pounds for successive Darwen Town Councils Mayors chosen Charities, £3,803.08 in 2022; this year therefore the council will ensure the Mayor’s Charity fund for Dementia UK, currently standing at £4,946.51 will be made up to guarantee £10,000 at its’ close next year.