Bonfire celebrations under threat

A massive hike in insurance cover is threatening the October event that attracts thousands of people to the town.

It is the second blow to the town in just two weeks, following the hugely disappointing entries for the Carnival procession which prompted calls for a re-think of that event.

The bonfire premium quoted this year is 5,880 for a 10million liability. That's more than double the amount the organisers had anticipated '” and a massive increase on last year's 1,600 premium.

The bonfire, held to celebrate Hastings Day, is one of the top three premium events in the town's diary and last year drew record crowds of more than 20,000.

It's because of this that insurers don't want to know, said Keith Leech, chairman of Hastings Borough Bonfire Society, who put the blame on today's greedy 'sue culture'. He said: "It's all down to fear of litigation, too many greedy people are suing for just about anything these days."

Mr Leech was desperately trying to save the event this week, phoning organisations and calling other insurers trying to get a better quote, as well as contacting bonfire societies in the same position.

"There is a real threat to the celebrations but we are fighting and we are exploring every avenue we can think," said Mr Leech. "If these avenues are dead ends there is nothing we can do."

Mr Leech explained the crisis happened because of a change in insurers '” "we lost our insurer because they decided they were not going to do that kind of business any more. We are a charity and do this to put money back into the community through local charities '” not to give it all away to an insurance company!"

Hastings council's marketing chief Kevin Boorman said: "We will work with the bonfire society and our own insurers."

They were looking to see what they could do internally '” but couldn't make any promises.