Building Cultural Networks

Bonfire Self-Regulation

The BCN project is currently active in 16 separate communities across 6 district councils. All the communities have embarked on a process of change, supported by staff, volunteers and resources.  This change is underpinned by the self-regulatory approach, incorporated within a principle framework, in partnership with landowners and statutory stakeholders, designed to build the capacity of the respective communities and to demonstrate positive cultural expression in and around the 11th of July festivities. 

Key to this development is the communities forming ‘Cultural Committees’ to oversee the work and embarking on a cultural education and training programme.  This, for example, includes a series of seminars and workshops on the history of bonfires, visits to other cultural and historical sites and a relevant training programme which includes, for example, Event Management, Health & Safety, Fire Warden Course, First Aid, Child Protection, Marshalling, to name a few. 

During this process, the capacity of communities is sufficiently increased to deliver family-friendly cultural programmes leading up to and including the 11th July celebrations.  We refer to this as a Social Action Project.