Primrose Hill bonfire and fireworks display cancelled ‘to make a budget saving’

• YOU cited that the Primrose Hill bonfire and fireworks display was cancelled due to overcrowding – this is not the case, (Bonfire Night fireworks ban, November 8).

For many years it was run by the Primrose Hill Community Association and actually made a profit from the £25,000 that people donated into buckets on the gate.

The authorities were getting worried about safety at large events and wanted it fully risk-assessed. The community centre ran it successfully for one year when it was fully risk assessed.

The error was the Camden felt it had become too big for the community centre to run and suggested taking it over. I was in that meeting when the committee buckled to Camden’s suggestion.

Once Camden took it over the cost spiralled resulting in a £50,000 loss. I was also in the council chamber when it was cancelled to make a budget saving.

The current situation is completely unsatisfactory. One minute the police close the hill which means that everyone heads for Camden Town disgruntled. This results in the pubs and restaurants in Primrose Hill being empty.

The next minute the police threaten to close the park but then disappear leaving people setting off fireworks during the small hours and waking everyone up.

I have often thought of trying to get it up and running again but it would take a team of dedicated people.

JONNY BUCKNELL
NW1