Dorchester residents protect Victoria Park bonfire tradition

For around 50 years, residents say Victoria Park on Elizabeth Place has been a gathering place on November 5 for residents to come together and build a community bonfire. 

This year, Robert Simpson initiated the build of the large bonfire as a way to help build back the community spirit - something which he says has never been the same since the pandemic. 

Robert Simpson initiated this year's bonfire at Victoria Park in Dorchester (Image: Andy Jones) He said: "In Covid, the community was shut down and we had the two metre distance rule and people's moral had fallen and their are no events or fun around here anymore.

"We wanted to bring back the community event for the estate like we had years ago.

"We have a fantastic community spirit in Victoria Park and it is nice to see it back. It is not about causing disruption to the establishment it is about bringing the community together."

However, after building the large bonfire in the park for several days, residents were facing the prospect of having to see their efforts dismantled at the last minute. 

Today, council officials and police officers went to the park just hours before the planned lighting after the council said it received complaints.

Sophie Davis, who lives near to the park, said: "Basically, we have been building this since November 2, as that is when the council said we could start building it from.

"Today the council came and told us they had had one complaint and wanted to take it down. 

"They were here with vans and a tractor, but the whole community came out and said they couldn't do anything until the police arrived.

Sophie Davis, centre said the bonfire 'will go on' after saying the council wanted to dismantle it (Image: Andy Jones) Sophie added that 'hundreds' of people will attend the bonfire at 6pm tonight and was adamant 'it will carry on'.

Dorset Police did attend the incident just before 3pm this afternoon, but later said that 'no offences were identified' as they assisted the local authorities. 

Residents in the area were invited to bring items they wanted burning on the fire and even though some items dropped off were potentially hazardous, another local resident said those items were disposed of and all the items on the bonfire were being monitored. 

Residents helping to build the bonfire at Victoria Park in Dorchester (Image: Andy Jones) Resident Martin said: "A pile of waste was left here, and we were just waiting until the end of the day to take it to the tip, we will not allow any waste to go on it I have been out monitoring it every night.

"It is helping elderly people remove things they can't pay to have removed - it's a win-win for everyone."

However, despite the overwhelming support for the bonfire, not every resident was fully behind it. 

One woman, who lived nearby and wished to remain anonymous said: "I have lived here since I was a child and it's always been here, but the only thing is it gets big and you get worried about the smoke and your cars -it's very big this year."