Civic bonfire’s new home has the ‘Oldham Edge’

Oldham’s hugely-popular Civic Bonfire event is moving to a spectacular new venue.

After returning in style in 2012, this year’s event – dubbed ‘The Big Bang’ – is taking place at a new site on Tuesday, November 5.

Oldham Edge, with its sprawling grass parkland close to the town centre, has been chosen to play host to an evening of free family fun.

Boasting panoramic views across Manchester and beyond it means the fireworks display could be seen by residents from miles around.

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), which has many tenants neighbouring the site and the surrounding areas as part of its 12,000-home stock, is sponsoring the event.

Last year’s event – the first time it had been held in over a decade – drew around 14,000 spectators to Boundary Park and was deemed a huge success, but a new venue was needed due to redevelopment work at Oldham Athletic.

‘The Big Bang’ will again feature a range of family-oriented attractions.

There will be another stunning professional display from Fantastic Fireworks as the centrepiece of the night with a sparkling mix of traditional favourites and a real ‘wow’ factor.

There will also be a small bonfire, street entertainers, family games and activities, plus food stalls selling traditional autumn grub.

Plans are again being shared with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police to help maximise public safety on Bonfire Night.

To help cater for parking demand, Oldham Council is also offering the use of all its town centre car parks free of charge on the day from 3pm onwards.

Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Business and Town Centres, said: “We’re delighted to confirm that Oldham Edge will host ‘The Big Bang’ bonfire event.”

“We had to find a new location and were attracted to this site by its proximity to the town centre and its scenic views. This will be a test run so we will be closely monitoring how everything goes before deciding whether it might stay here in future years.

“Last year’s bonfire was a massive success. The turnout proved an annual bonfire should be part of our annual calendar of events again that residents want to see in Oldham.

“The only difference this year is the venue, but this is again all about firework safety and letting families enjoy a fun and free event. Staging one big event like this can discourage people from attending smaller unsupervised bonfires and cut the strain on our blue-light services.

“We’re also delighted that FCHO are on-board to sponsor ‘The Big Bang’. I thank them and I’m sure many of their tenants will come along to enjoy a memorable night.”

David Smith, Customer First Director at FCHO, said: “We’re really pleased that Oldham Edge has been chosen to host this event and wanted to support this event as soon as we found out about it.”

“This was a huge success last year and we wanted to do our bit to help maximise public safety on Bonfire Night and let local families enjoy the night in a safe and controlled environment.”

Oldham Council has already written to neighbouring residents and tenants outlining the plans and arrangements in place, which include two temporary road closures.

People will able to enter the ‘fenced-off’ Oldham Edge site on the day from 5pm onwards. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the fireworks display starts at 7pm. No alcohol will be on sale on the site.

Fire marshals and first-aid personnel will be in attendance, plus SIA-registered stewards who are experienced in event management.

Proposals are in place to part-close Henshaw Street from its junction with Bar Gap Road up to the White House pub, and Bar Gap Road in its entirety. Closures would begin at 4pm on November 5 and end at 10pm or earlier (dependent on how quick the site clears after the event).

Traffic control measures – such as enforcement against parking on double yellow lines nearby – will continue to help minimise disruption to residents.

Local weather will be closely monitored in the run-up to the event. If conditions are thought to pose any threat to public safety then some aspects could be cancelled.

Further details about entertainment, car parking and public transport arrangements will be publicised in the weeks ahead.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!