Market Harborough’s Fireworks Display Cancelled

Market Harborough’s bonfire and fireworks display has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers, the St Joseph’s School PTFA, have taken the decision due to restrictions on gatherings and the rising number of Covid-19 cases.

It is the second year the annual event, which is the group’s main fundraiser, has not taken place, after bad weather forced its cancellation in 2019.

This year’s was set to be held on Saturday 7th November on the school field off Coventry Road.

Chair of the PTFA, Catherine Searcy said: ‘As a PTFA we are devastated that we cannot go ahead with our bonfire and firework display as hoped this year, however in the current circumstances and with restrictions on gatherings and the number of COVID-19 cases rising, we felt it was not appropriate to do so.

“It’s a real shame as we had hoped to provide an event for all of the school and wider community of Market Harborough to look forward to after a tough 6 months for everyone, but we plan to be back next year with an incredible display!’

“After the disappointment of having to cancel our event in 2019, to cancel again this year really impacts our fundraising, all of which is put back into the school, but like other PTFA’s and charities across the Harborough district and nationally, we will just have to look for new, innovative ideas to bring in those much needed funds.”

The PTFA already has a number of local businesses lined up to sponsor the event in 2021 and welcomes any other businesses or organisations that would also like to get involved and offer their support.

Lutterworth Town Council have announced today there will be no Christmas Lights Switch On event in the town this year because of the pandemic, although lights will go up as normal.   

They say with the event attracting thousands of people to the town centre, it would be impossible to enforce any kind of social distancing.

A statement reads: “The decision has not come lightly to the team of amazing volunteers that have worked tirelessly to bring the event to us for over 25 years.

“The Christmas Lights Switch On marks the beginning of Christmas for a lot of people in our Town and we understand that many will be disappointed at the decision.