South Park fireworks could be cancelled due to damage

Oxford city councillors answered questions from members of the public and fellow political representatives at a full council meeting on Monday (July 15).

A question from Green councillor Alex Powell, who represents the St Clement's ward, requested updates and answers on the November 5 fireworks display at South Park.

Alex Powell. (Image: Contribution.)

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This follows the 55th Annual Charity event last year which organisers Oxford Round Table said was "a great success".

Mr Powell also queried vehicle management at the event after residents criticised organisers last year saying it had "churned up the grass".

South Park fireworks. (Image: Photo: Oxford Round Table)

Responding to the concern, Labour cabinet member for business, culture and an inclusive economy, Alex Hollingsworth, said: "My intention is to achieve a fireworks display that people can enjoy without damage to the park and I don't think that those two things are mutually incompatible.

Alex Hollingsworth. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

"The damage done to South Park as a result of the 2023 fireworks was unacceptable and cannot be repeated.

"For any future events in South Park, the council, working with Oxford preservation Trust and friends of South Park, will require a clear cancellation protocol to be in place with agreed deadlines by which events will be cancelled if the ground conditions are so poor that going ahead with an event will damage the park."

South Park after the display. (Image: Photo: Dr Daniel Emyn-Jones)

Christian Petersen, of Oxford Round Table, said at the time of the event that "more than 20,000 people attended" as organisers raised 10s of thousands of pounds for charity.

But Mr Peterson also added: "This happens every year - we plan for the council to undertake rectification works.

"We have a vested interest in the long-term future of the park."