Remember when we all stepped into the new year thinking we were gonna live our best lives? Well, turns out 2020 is the year that absolutely nothing is safe, with Leeds Council confirming the cancellation of all six of their annual bonfires.
An annual Autumn delight loved by many, the events hosted at Roundhay Park, East End Park, Middleton Park, Bramley Park, Woodhouse Moor and Springhead Park put on a fantastic show for residents, with a huge bonfire and firework spectacle at each location.
Confirming the news, a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Due to the continued challenges of coronavirus, we have had to take the incredibly difficult decision to cancel this year all of our public bonfires traditionally held across Leeds to mark Bonfire Night.
“Our public bonfires and firework displays are very popular, and we very much share the disappointment of residents that one of the stand out events in our city’s cultural calendar cannot take place this November.
“The safety and health and wellbeing of all our residents must however come first.
“With continued guidance relating to coronavirus limiting the numbers of people that are able to attend social gatherings and also taking into account appropriate social distancing measures, it is not possible for us to host our public bonfires which regularly attract in total over 100,000 people every year.
“We ask looking ahead, that anyone wishing to celebrate Bonfire Night this year continues to fully respect and abides by government guidance relating to social distancing and gatherings.
“Only by continuing as a city to work extremely hard, can we ensure that the risk of coronavirus is reduced.”
The news comes following a surge in cases in the area, with Leeds experiencing its highest daily Coronavirus figures since April just this week. The surge is shared by the country as a whole, too, with England recording almost 3,000 cases in just one day over the weekend – resulting in new, stricter Coronavirus rules which will make it illegal to meet in groups of more than six.
