NOVEMBER 5 has been celebrated for four centuries, a cornerstone of our political and cultural history. In 1605, Guy Fawkes was set to light the fuse that would detonate 36 barrels of gunpowder under Parliament, in the hope of thwarting plans of unity between Spain and England, and paving the way for Spain to conquer England and restore Catholicism.

In 1606, it became mandatory for all English churches to host a service on November 5 to mark the failure the Gunpowder Plot; bonfires followed, and in 1673, crowds began stringing an effigy above the fire - initially the Pope, Guy Fawkes from the 1800s.

Those of us of a certain age will have memories attending intimate bonfires in private gardens, but we have been encouraged for some time to attend municipal events on the understanding these are better organised and safer. Now it would seem these have become too successful for their own good.

Last year, I wrote about how Truro City Council had cancelled the municipal bonfire at Tremorvah Playing Field citing safety concerns. A committee was convened to explore a better outcome for 2026, with alternative venues and entry arrangements under consideration.

Then on Wednesday came the official statement that the event would be cancelled again, as no satisfactory solution could be found to the original issues – and an extra spanner had been thrown into the works with the forthcoming introduction of Martyn’s Law. Named after Martyn Hett, who died in the Manchester Arena Attack in 2017, the law - known officially as The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – comes into force in 2027, with local councils advised to assume it’s already active.

You might ask how a terrorism act justifies the cancellation of Bonfire Night celebrations in sleepy Truro. Town clerk David Rodda explained how factors such as the numbers present and a controlled entry – a charge on the gate in this case - nudged the event into higher-tier requirements including proportionate procedures to reduce the risk of physical harm in an attack such as a “hostile vehicle movement”.

If that seems unlikely, it’s doubtful anyone expected it in 2016 at a Christmas market in Berlin (12 people died); or in 2025, when Liverpool FC won the Premier League title and celebrated with an ill-fated parade in which more than 130 people were injured.

A year earlier, local police had raised concerns when 4,000 people showed up at Truro’s bonfire and traffic ground to a halt. “It ran the risk that if someone had a medical episode, we would struggle to get an ambulance to them,” said Mr Rodda. “We were advised that if we held it at Tremorvah again, we’d need to address the issue, but we were finding it very difficult to do so.”

Mr Rodda detailed how councillor and staff hours aplenty had been put into research, site meetings and walking routes. The cattle market had space and parking - including the possibility of employing the Park and Ride after hours - but came with the conundrum of how to enable hordes to cross busy Newquay Road.

Back to Tremorvah, they considered road closures, which would come at a cost and at significant inconvenience to local residents, requiring permission and communications in good time; and commercialising the event in such a way to cover the expense of extra measures without affecting the entry price.

“It was important to councillors that a family of four – two parents and two children – were able to get in for £10, which was considered affordable,” said Mr Rodda. “The event isn’t included in the city council budget so needed to pay for itself financially, and make a profit for donation to charity.

“We considered having commercial food traders pay for a presence, but that would detract from the community element of the event – traditionally, the Sea Scouts have sold burgers and kept the proceeds.”

In the face of being unable to offer a safe event without changing it beyond recognition, the die was cast. “We didn’t take the decision to cancel lightly – everyone involved was disappointed but in agreement,” said Mr Rodda.

Backlash was swift and predictable, with comments online referring to “namby-pamby councillors” and denouncing “control freaks who will end up closing everything down ‘for our safety’.”

As the man who would be in the dock if the worst happened, Mr Rodda’s response was equally robust: “Walk a mile in my shoes. I’d rather be the town clerk who considered all this and didn’t go ahead, than the one trying to explain why I didn’t worry about it only for something to happen.

“People may well say ‘nothing ever happens in Truro’, but it isn’t worth the risk. These are people’s lives we’re talking about.”

Truro is not alone in its plight. Just up the A39, St Erme Community Centre is promising an evening of “sparkling skies, community spirit and a fantastic fireworks display”, but stops short of a bonfire due to “the increasing challenges around safety”. Parking must be pre-booked, and attendees are asked to consider walking and car sharing.

In Falmouth, whose fire brigade (no less) cancelled the annual bonfire last year, the Town Team has announced a one-off fireworks display against the spectacular backdrop of Pendennis Castle on Thursday, November 5 to make up for the cancellation of Falmouth Week’s grand finale back in August due to dry weather conditions. No bonfire has been mentioned.

Regarding concerns over New Year’s Eve fireworks, Mr Rodda said these would continue as the event differs substantially from Bonfire Night and Martyn’s Law does not apply. “The fireworks are included in the city council budget and the event isn’t ticketed. Crowds gather on Lemon Quay, which is a public space and people are free to come and go at will. No road closures required.

His advice to fellow event organisers: “I think it’s important they consider the ramifications of Martyn’s Law, with guidance being updated by the day, and whether it applies to their event or not.”

And his message to readers: “If you want a bonfire to happen in future, you will need to be prepared to put up with disruption and a higher cost – or both.”