Spaniard’s Bay declines resident’s offer to host bonfire

By Local Journalism initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

Spaniard’s Bay has respectfully declined a resident’s offer to host the Town’s Bonfire Night.

The Town and fire department have been considering alternate locations for Bonfire Night since concerns were raised about the usual location on New Harbour Road.

Recently, a resident offered the fire pit on their own property for the event.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea because, you take it, you’ve got a big old bonfire and houses right alongside it, (with) the smoke and everything else,” said Deputy Mayor Sherry Lundrigan.

Councillor Terry Sheppard said he had discussed the offer with the local fire department.

“Although they were grateful that the resident offered up the opportunity, it poses a lot of risks that they didn’t recommend we take,” said Sheppard. “There’s a lot of houses in the area.”

The location is on a hill, he added, which makes wind a greater risk factor, too.

“I think it was general consensus in that meeting that we hold it where we have every year so far in the last few years,” Sheppard said.

Councillor Darlene Stamp made a motion to respectfully decline the resident’s offer, and for the Town to hold the bonfire in its usual New Harbour Road location. That was seconded by councillor Debbie Newman, and the motion carried unanimously.