Every 5th November a Bonfire is held in the Market Place at Chapel-en-le-Frith, the venue is by modern standards small, being the cobbled area of the Market Place, which is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster and “rented” to the local council’

Locally it is said that if ever there is not a Bonfire held on November 5th it will thereafter be prohibited, we are not sure of the validity of this idea, but the mere possibility of it being so is sufficient for us to want to ensure this small local event continues to happen.

The main thing about this community Bonfire is that it is actually held on Bonfire Night rather than a nearby Week-end (being more suitable in the minds of our Administrative classes) and that it is free to attend, giving our local kids the enjoyment in an environment that is safer, cheaper and better than their own gardens or streets.

In our time in the area we have seen the event wax and wane in popularity, at one point, the tradition was kept alive by Norman Cox (at the time the landlord of the King Arms) lighting some firewood in a bucket on the Market Place!

More recently Geoff  and his sons ran the Bonfire for many years, particularly valiant, as at the time his main occupation was at the opposite time of the Day, delivering milk.

Over that last few years the emphasis has swung across to the local Publicans and Cafes, takeaways etc who are the main beneficiaries, not only getting a boost on the night, but also reminding locals of their wares and hopefully enticing them to “come back soon”

Other businesses and individuals donate, some goods and services, from Sand to prevent damage to the cobbles, to Fireworks and even Hot Dog sausages!, but mainly the monies to purchase Fireworks for the show, everything is welcome and anyone interested in helping can contact us by email or call into ComputerBits or the Roebuck in the Market Place and they will be pointed in the right direction.

Many Thanks to all our sponsors – you know who you are – well done!