Bonfire Celebrations hailed a success by Councillor Nick Wiltshire

9.50.36pm GMT Mon 10th Nov 2008

Nick Wiltshire - Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Littlehampton Town Council

I would like to congratulate all those who are a part of the continuing success story that is the annual Littlehampton Bonfire Society's annual celebrations and extend our best wishes to Tyndall Jones for a swift recovery from his recent operation.

It is not perhaps fully appreciated that the work involved in staging this event is a year round effort and often doesn't get recognised but the Bonfire Society Safety Committee, chaired by the Town Council's representative on this committee, Cllr Dave Botting, deserves much credit. I speak from experience as I was Cllr Botting's predecessor and have worked with Richard Cooper, the Secretary of the Bonfire Society and other representatives from the Bonfire Society, including Phil Jeffery, together with the emergency services, particularly PC Mark Stevens and Niall Cooper of West Sussex Fire and Rescue as well as Phil Graham, Arun District Council Officer responsible for outside events. Coles Funfair are also to be congratulated as they also work collectively with the rest of the Committee to ensure that this annual event is a great spectacle for people to enjoy in maximum safety. You can rest assured that nothing is left to chance and yet most people are totally unaware just how much work has gone on behind the scenes to enable the Town's biggest event to take place each year.

Congratulations to all those who are a part of the continuing success story that is Littlehampton In Bloom, in particular Margaret Boulton as Chairman deserves a special mention as does John Coombes for their exceptional work for this organisation. This success would not have been possible without the much appreciated support and assistance given freely by John Spencer of Spencer Plant Hire, who provided the vehicle and lights for Littlehampton In Bloom. Everyone associated with this entry is to be congratulated for their tremendous effort and hard work as; it certainly paid off!

Nick Wiltshire,

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Littlehampton Town Council