Why Truro’s Bonfire Night has been called off for a second year

There will be no council bonfire and no fireworks display over Truro this November. For the second year running the event has been called off, and this time the decision came after a whole summer spent trying to make it work.

What has been decided

Truro City Council has reluctantly decided to cancel its 2026 Bonfire Night and Fireworks Display.

After calling off last year’s event, the council set up a working group, the Bonfire Night Committee, with the aim of staging a safe, affordable and enjoyable Bonfire Night for the local community this year. The council describes it as an important date in its calendar. It is popular with residents, visitors and businesses in Truro, and it raises much-needed money for local charities.

A new venue and a summer of planning

The committee identified Tremorvah Playing Field as a potential venue, and its members spent the summer months drawing up plans to run the event there.

That meant long discussions with a range of agencies and organisations. On the table were road closures (needed to control traffic and keep vehicles and people apart), ticketed entry, managing crowds both inside the event and on the way in and out, clear communications, and securing support in case of an emergency. The committee was also tasked with keeping any disruption for people living nearby to a minimum.

Where Martyn’s Law comes in

The size of the event changed the rules. With up to 5,000 people expected, the display had to be treated as an “enhanced tier” event under the Government’s Martyn’s Law legislation, which requires organisers of large public events to put enhanced measures in place to protect people from harm.

The law does not take effect until 2027. But local councils are being encouraged to act as though it is already in force.

Why it could not go ahead

Despite the work that went in, the working group concluded that the event could not be staged safely within existing budgets and resources while also keeping it affordable for local residents and not adversely affecting people living in and around Tremorvah Playing Field.

David Rodda, Town Clerk at Truro City Council, said: “Truro City Council can only stage events where it is satisfied that it can do so safely and within available budgets. Despite our best efforts, it was not possible to do that this year whilst keeping the entry price at an affordable level and whilst ensuring that we meet the necessary requirements of an ‘Enhanced tier’ event under Martyn’s Law. I know this will be a disappointment for many residents.”

What happens next

The council says it recognises the decision will disappoint the community, and that it will keep investigating ways to overcome the challenges it faced this year, with the aim of staging a safe and affordable event in the future.

It has not said which year that might be.

📷Beautiful colorful fireworks for celebration on dark background , New year holiday concept