Home of historic Gunpowder Plot hit by firework fear
Organisers of a firework display in the Northamptonshire home of the Gunpowder Plot have been forced to scale down the celebration because of fears over the risk to nearby thatched cottages.
Staff at The Olde Coach House Inn in Ashby St Ledgers have put on a Bonfire Night show for years.
Gunpowder plotters Guy Fawkes and Robert Catesby conspired in the village in 1605.
But a resident of one of the Grade II-listed cottages has threatened the pub with an injunction to stop the display over concerns the fireworks could spark a massive fire.
Margaret Kirby, aged 64, who lives in one of the 400-year-old homes, said she would be speaking to her solicitor about taking legal action to stop the event.
She said: "I do not want to be a killjoy but there are 12 thatched cottages near the pub and if a spark goes on this it could set all of the places alight."
The Charles Wells pub said the show would go on as planned on Wednesday but it would be limited to a professional firework display.
Rosie Youngman, assistant manager, said: "It has been going for many years because of the history of the village and all we wanted to do was try to keep the tradition going.
"Because it's a new company, we've only been here since April but we have scaled it down to just having the fireworks, as we were going to have a big bonfire as well.
"It's a professional company coming down to do them.
"There's been a mixed reaction from the customers.
"The locals come into the bar and everyone is for it but we've had lots of phone calls about it because it's about the history of the village."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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