An environmental activist is calling for the bonfire at Manor Park in Glossop to be cancelled.

Green campaigner Robert Hodgetts-Haley says High Peak Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency on 15 October 2019 but are allowing the bonfire to go ahead unchallenged on council-owned land.

The bonfire and fireworks display is happening on Saturday 6 November - the same day as The Global Day of Action takes place in the middle of the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow. 

Mr Hodgetts-Haley has accused High Peak Borough Council of ignoring the Climate Emergency and “wilfully allowing the environment to be damaged” by allowing the bonfire to go ahead.

“I admit the bonfire raises money for charity, however that is not a good enough reason to release a large amount of carbon into the air," he said. "The fire itself releases particles into the valley which cause respiratory problems to the most vulnerable in our community – the young and the elderly. 

“Yes, most of us have had a boring 18 months with Covid-19 and being locked down for so long but there are other ways to enjoy ourselves that don’t harm the environment. It is beneficial to have a public fireworks display because hopefully it means less smaller garden displays will take place, but it’s the bonfire itself that causes the real damage.”

Green campaigners are planning to protest at the display and Mr Hodgetts-Haley is also accusing Hadfield South borough councillor Edward Siddall of being “irresponsible” for promoting the bonfire on Facebook. 

But Cllr Siddall, who is also co-chairman of Glossop and District Round Table, told us: "Glossop Round Table organises the bonfire. This is part of my personal life and nothing to do with my duties as a councillor. My political and personal life are separate.

"Over the years we have made the bonfire smaller to reduce environmental damage. We mainly burn wooden pallets which are at the end of their life and can no longer be recycled.”

He added: "I find it very disappointing that Robert is accusing us of environmental damage when we have invited him to a Round Table meeting to discuss his concerns. It is a once-a-year event.

"We are trying to do something good for the community by raising money for charity while providing families in Glossop with great entertainment, yet we are being attacked for doing this.”

A spokesperson for Glossop Round Table said: "Our bonfire is built in the safest way and uses the most environmentally responsible materials to minimise the impact. The wood is clean and untreated, and built by experienced people. Our fireworks are professional grade and setup and launched by a certified, licenced and insured company.

"This is no comparison to the dangers of people building a bonfire in their back garden and throwing an old shed and painted wood on the fire, or setting off their own fireworks without consideration of safe distances, wind speed and direction, and sometimes even what time of the night it is!

"We support organisations that provide animal welfare, community food projects, support victims of domestic violence, suicide prevention and mental health. Running events is the Round Table's way of raising funds to keep these vital organisations running. It doesn't have to be by running a bonfire and fireworks event, but this is what the community want, they demonstrate this every year by turning up in their hundreds to make this the biggest annual event in Glossopdale." 

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