A VILLAGE bonfire event that has been running for around 50 years will not go ahead this year, after the council failed to arrange insurance.

The popular Upper Clatford bonfire organised by Upper Clatford Parish Council, which is usually attended by many residents, has been cancelled.

The event was due to take place on the village green on Sunday, November 5 but due to the council's difficulties in arranging insurance, it has been forced to cancel the traditional event.

Peter Heslop, the chairman of the council told the Advertiser that the green is not big enough to give the required safe distance from neighbouring properties.

He said: "The parish council very much regrets having to take the decision to cancel, but unfortunately we were left with no alternative.

"Our insurance company has made it clear that unless we could comply with all of their requirements, our cover would not be valid.

"The deciding factors for us were requirements that the bonfire must be kept at least 75m from any neighbouring properties, and at least 25m from members of the public."

A statement on Upper Clatford Parish Council's website also reads: "It is regrettable that due to restrictions imposed by the Parish Council's Insurance company, the annual bonfire held on the Village Green on the 5th of November will no longer be able to take place.

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"The parish council feel incredibly sad about the event having to be cancelled."

The Upper Clatford, Anna Valley and Red Rice Village page on Facebook posted to let residents know that the bonfire will not be going ahead.

Commenting on the post, one resident said: "This was a tradition for as long as I remember."

While another posted: "This surely cannot be true! This has been a tradition for 50 years. Very little events to get the village together."

Another resident wrote: "Very sad another village tradition gone."

The post also informed residents that the council have also put up a sign on the field where the event is usually held.

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It reads: "No bonfire this year. The parish council is sad to announce that due to the extreme proximity of surrounding properties, we have been unable to arrange instance cover for the bonfire which has been held here on November 5 for many years."

The sign warned residents to not "make any attempt to build a bonfire this year".