06/11/2025
Despite all the confusing information by WBC, the night seems to have gone okay without any major problems. Everything should really have been organised the same as last year.
The Liverpool Echo reported :
According to Wirral Council, the fire’s size exceeded the limits set by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. Just minutes before the event was due to begin, a council spokesperson announced that the North Birkenhead Development Trust (NBDT) had withdrawn from organising the planned celebration at Ilchester Park.
The spokesperson said: “This is due to some members of the local community building the bonfire bigger than the limit that was specified by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and which was a requirement under the terms of the land use agreement with Wirral Council.
"As such, any activity on Ilchester Park this evening is unauthorised, and residents should not attend.”
Nevertheless, hundreds of people still turned up, and photographs showed a massive bonfire blazing in the park.
Community Bonfire Night events have long been a Wirral tradition, but this year tensions flared after organisers of two events were told to reduce the size of their bonfires. All events, even long-established ones, were required to go through a new approval process.
The process was introduced following recommendations from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) and a new policy approved by councillors earlier this year, following a successful 2024 trial. MFRS reported that several bonfires last year were unsafe, prompting stricter safety measures going forward.
(Liverpool Echo 6 5th November 2025).
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Just MINUTES before it starts, people told 'DO NOT' go to bonfire event
People have been told not to attend tonight's event.
People are being told not to turn up to a popular Bonfire Night event in Merseyside after the bonfire was built too big. Wirral Council said the size of the bonfire at Ilchester Park has breached the limit set by the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Community Bonfire Night events have been a tradition in Wirral for many years, but this year tensions erupted after two events were told their bonfires needed to be smaller. All events, including those that have been held for decades, were required to undergo an approval process.
(Liverpool Echo 5th November 2025).
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A huge clean-up operation began this morning after hundreds ignored warnings not to attend an unauthorised bonfire. The event took place at Ilchester Park in Birkenhead with a huge bonfire being built as well as fireworks being set off.
The event was being supported by the North Birkenhead Development Trust (NBT), which runs the St James Centre nearby. However, just minutes before the event was supposed to start, a Wirral Council spokesperson said the trust had withdrawn from its role as the bonfire was built too big.
Liverpool Echo 6th November 2025
