Happiness as cancelled Corby fireworks given go-ahead after ‘positive’ fire safety meeting

The community-led firework display planned for last night (Thursday) was cancelled with just days to go when organisers were told the number of people attending the free event had to be reduced as in an emergency the proposed exits would not allow people to leave safely.

Organised in two months by resident Syl Rielly and a committee, the event at S&L Rugby Club was to use the pitch off Occupation Road for a commemoration and celebration of four Corby residents who tragically died this year.

After the in-person safety meeting Syl said: “We are happy. This is positive and we can go ahead. We shall get everyone together and we are going to do this.”

The committee had sent the event plans to the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) – made up of representatives from the council, emergency services, other relevant bodies and the event organiser.

SAGs do not have legal powers or responsibilities, and are not empowered to approve or prohibit events from taking place.

Event organisers and others involved in the running of an event retain the principal legal duties for ensuring public safety.

Organisers met at S&L to examine the gates which had been used in the calculations of the official flow numbers out of the ground in the case of an emergency.

Syl was told her paperwork was correct but it is believed a vital email to the safety team may not have reached them.

She said: “We had done everything correctly. It turns out we didn’t need to have the SAG but it’s good that we did.”

A council-run event had previously been held at Corby Boating Lake for more than 50 years but it was scrapped in May by North Northants Council (NNC) after costs spiralled to £45,000.

Corby-based Reform NNC councillors had objected to the decision, which was made by the executive team.

Private sponsorship and public donations entirely from Corby raised £14,000, boosted by donations from the public.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service had been working with the organisers of the Corby fireworks to ensure the safety of attendees since the service was first contacted two weeks before the event.

They advised organisers that for the November 5 event to be safe to go ahead, the attendance must be limited to 11,200 people.

A new event marking the lives of Max Hall, Paisley McNamee, Danielle Sharpe and Ella Walden will be held with a date yet to be decided.

Syl said: “I’m going to ask the public what they want. Let’s light the sky up for all the people.

“We’re going to reboot over the weekend, speak to everyone involved and see what we can make happen!

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful to bring Corby together, raise a toast to the amazing people our town has lost this year and show just how strong our community spirit really is?

“It’s frustrating knowing an earlier visit could have avoided all this, but today was a positive step forward!”

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Protection Team staff met with the organisers of the Corby fireworks this morning (November 6) to discuss plans for the event.

“Following the meeting staff will assess any further received documents.”