Planning begins for Ballymacash bonfire

It’s a tall order, though, for the Ballymacash Cultural Awareness Project, to build on this roaring success.

“I don’t think we’ll ever think there’s nothing more to be done,” said BCAP’s Brian Thompson. “You just keep going on improving and doing something different.”

Planning is done in consultation with a community for whom the traditional July 11 bonfire has become ‘the’ highlight of the year.Said Brian: “ The bonfire is very definitely an annual highlight; it keeps getting bigger, better, stronger and more organised.” The work that goes into it includes fundraising events, complying with legal requirements, making sure no tires or household rubbish make it onto the pyre, providing toilet facilities and providing safety marshalls and barriers.

There’s a lot of work too in the fun day, with a water-slide, magic show, face-painting, bouncy castle, kids’ party, vintage military vehicle display, and souvenir stalls.

Said Brian, “There’s something for everyone and there’s always has a lot of time for the kids. There are lot of people who help, sometimes in small ways that don’t get noticed.”

Among them, he said, were local traders and residents who brought food to people keeping watch because fires were being burned ahead of time. He also thanked the community police, Windmill Stores, Man Lee Chinese Takeaway, Pride of Ballymacash Flute Band, local pensioners and band, Pretty Cartel.

In the Star dated we carried a report on a Confederate flag being erected on the Knockmore Road.

The report also carried a phot0 of the Ballymacash bonfire.

The Star would like to point out that the bonfire was cited only as a local reference point. The was no intention to suggest that anyone associated with the bonfire was in any way responsible for the erection of the flag and The Star would like to apologise if this impression was given.