Sadly, the redevelopment of playing fields at Forest Hall School means there will be no fireworks extravaganza in Stansted Mountfitchet this autumn.
Over summer Burnt Mill Academy Trust informed the Stansted Mounfitchet Parish Council they had gained approval from the Football Association to lay an astro pitch on the playing fields at the school.
Football pitch
BMAT are keen to get the project underway.
An all-weather pitch will be a fantastic resource for Stansted’s only secondary school, but constructing an astro will mean the school’s playing field can no longer host a fireworks event.
No alternative sites
Prior to the 2024 fireworks, the last such event was in 2019, also at Forest Hall School.
There was no Guy Fawkes fireworks in 2020 due to the pandemic, which prompted the school to withdraw its support for hosting fireworks citing health and safety concerns.
From 2022 until 2024, the Parish Council tried without success to find an alternative venue.
Elms Farm and the Recreation Ground had been touted as viable options, but these proved to be non-starters.
Letting off hundreds of fireworks near homes and trees posed unacceptable risks in terms of public safety and fire at both sites.
Community loss
Last year’s Fireworks Extravaganza was attended by over 3,200 people and raised £3,000 for local causes such as the school and Stansted Youth Club.
But in the absence of realistic alternative venues, SMPC would like to apologise for disappointing residents by not delivering a display this winter.
We would also like to end by thanking members of the local business community for sponsoring and helping deliver the fireworks in 2024.