Where to go for a banger of a Bonfire Night
WE ROUND UP SOME OF THE BEST GUY FAWKES CELEBRATIONS BEING HELD ACROSS GREATER MANCHESTER
REMEMBER, remember the fifth of November will be here before you know it.
The sky across Greater Manchester will sparkle with fireworks again as the region celebrates Bonfire Night .
Parks, pubs, clubs and community centres will be hosting bonfires and fireworks displays on and around November 5, when Britain commemorates the failed gunpowder plot to blow up the House of Lords and kill King James I.
Guy Fawkes was arrested on November 5, 1605, while guarding the explosives they planned to use.
Bonfire Night is also known as Guy Fawkes Night after him, while effigies named after him are thrown on the flames. Cheery.
Nowadays though we just like pretty colours because they liven up November, which is a pretty dreary month.
Organisers are tightening up security at many events this year and have advised that there will be searches on the door, which could lead to a longer wait getting in. Visitors are asked to leave bags at home if possible to speed up entry and to arrive in plenty of time.
Personal fireworks, including sparklers, are banned at most events so please check with organisers before you set off.
All events are expected to be very busy and parking is limited around many of the sites, so try to use public transport if possible. And it goes without saying, leave your dogs at home and out of earshot.
MANCHESTER
■ Monday November 5
Heaton Park: Manchester’s biggest bonfire takes place at Heaton Park again, with gates open from 5pm. Visitors can enjoy funfair rides before the bonfire is lit at 7.30pm, followed by fireworks. Entry is free. ● Heaton Park, Middleton Road, Higher Blackley, M25 2SW. Fallowfield: Platt Field’s event begins with a funfair from 5pm. The bonfire will be lit at 7.30pm, with fireworks afterwards. Entry is free. ● Platt Fields Park, Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, M14 6LA. Wythenshawe: Wythenshawe Park’s fireworks display starts at 7.30pm, followed by the lighting of the bonfire. There will also be a funfair from 5pm to 9.30pm. Entry is free. ● Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe Road, M23 0AB.
SALFORD
■ Saturday Eccles: November 3
City Airport & Heliport’s Firework Spectacular is back for another year. North West Fun Fairs will be returning with their impressive fair ground and there will be a DJ playing music.
There will be a range of food stalls from jacket potatoes, soups and traditional fair ground food. As well as a great drinks offering from alcohol free apple cider, craft beer, Prosecco, gin station and selection of hot drinks.
Gates open 4pm (last entry 7.30pm). Fireworks prompt at 8pm.
Tickets cost £6 for adults, £3 for children or £20 per car with up to five passengers when you book in advance. Prices on the gate (cash only) are £30 for cars of up to five people or £10 per adult and £5 for child on foot. Under-threes go free. ● Liverpool Road, Eccles, M30 7SA.
■ Monday November 5
Buile Hill: Funfair between 4.30pm and 9pm, with food and drink available. Free entry. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm, followed by fireworks at 7.30pm. Entry is free. ● Buile Hill Park, Eccles Old Road, Salford, M6 8GL.
STOCKPORT
■ Saturday 3 November
Poynton: Poynton Round Table’s annual charity bonfire and fireworks display returns to Poynton Park from 5.30pm.
The event kicks off with a funfair, food stalls and a bar and ends at 9pm. The bonfire will be lit around 6.15pm and there will be live music on the Scruff of the Neck stage from 6pm.
A children’s fireworks display will take place at 7pm before the main display at 8pm.
Tickets cost £7.50 for adults and £4.50 for children in advance, or £9/£6 on the door. Under-threes go free. Family tickets are also available for two adults and up to three children priced at £16.
All proceeds go to good causes locally.
● Poynton Park, South Park Drive, Poynton, SK12 1BR (free parking at Poynton Civic Centre nearby, SK12 1RB).
WIGAN
■ Sunday November 4
Haigh Woodland Park: Haigh Woodland Park’s family fireworks spectacular opens at 4pm, with entertainment throughout the evening. Featuring: Super Hero-vPrincess Show by Starkidz – brilliant fun, music and games with a number of children’s favourite characters; Creatures from the Blackpool Lagoon – an awardwinning LED puppet show; plus live
music and compere with the wonderful guitarist and singer Joe Astley, who will be playing sing along and dance along favourites.
The evening ends with a fantastic firework finale from National Firework Champions, SM ART Pyro.
There will also be lots of food and drink stalls.
Tickets cost £9 for adults and £7 for children when booked in advance (ages four and under go free), or £10/£8 on the night. Family tickets are also available. ● School Lane, Wigan, WN2 1PE.
TAMESIDE
■ Saturday 3 November
Denton West: There will be a fireworks display, bars and food, side displays and music from 6.30pm (no personal fireworks or alcohol to be brought onto the grounds). £6 for adults and £4 for children. ● Denton West Cricket Club, Windsor
Park, off Windsor Road, Dane Bank, M34 2HB.
Hyde: Hyde Cricket and Squash Club will be hosting a Hyde Bonfire and Firework Display from 6.30pm. There will be a bar, mulled wine and food including gourmet burgers, hot dogs, chips and more. ● Hyde Cricket and Squash Club, 140 Werneth Low Road, Hyde SK14 3AA.
OLDHAM
■ Tuesday November 6
Oldham Edge: The town’s Big Bang Bonfire is back at Oldham Edge for another spectacular show.
The site will open from 5pm with funfair rides and food stalls before the stage starts at 6pm with the bonfire lighting.
There will also be a fire dance performance by Flame Oz before the event ends with a fireworks finale. Council-owned town centre car parks will be free of charge from 3pm on the day for those coming by car. Price: Free
Oldham Edge, off Henshaw Street, Oldham, OL1 3EN.
TRAFFORD
■ Saturday November 3
Urmston: Urmston Lions’ annual event is back at Abbotsfield Park. Gates open at 5.30pm before the bonfire is lit at 7pm and the fireworks display commences at 8pm. There will also be entertainment, food and drink throughout the night. Entry costs £5 for adults and £3 for children. ● Abbotsfield Park, Chassen Road, Urmston, M41 5DH.
BURY
■ Sunday November 4
Bury FC: Gigg Lane stadium will light up the sky at its Shakers’ Fireworks Display. The event will feature a professional pyrotechnics display from Magical Fireworks, along with a funfair on the club’s main car park.
Food and drink will also be available on the evening and the social club will be open throughout. Gates open at 5pm with fireworks at 7.30pm.
Tickets cost £5 for adults, £2.50 for under-16s and £12 for a family of four in advance. Limited car parking is also available for £5 at Phoenix House on Brierley Street, on a first-come firstserved basis. ● Bury FC, Gigg Lane, BL9 9HR.