...gunpowder treason and plot, I see no reason why gunpowder, treason, should ever be forgot...

http://www.rhymes.org.uk/remember_re...h_november.htm

Well someone did. Slough Borough Council in particular.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 
Council blasted over bonfire ban

The council wants to promote a "cleaner, safer, greener" Slough

A row has broken out after a Berkshire council banned bonfires and burning Guys from its 5 November celebrations.

Slough Borough Council claimed the polluting effects of smoke would go against its environmental policies, but said it would still display fireworks.

Critics have accused the council of changing a traditional Guy Fawkes night so as not to exclude ethnic minorities.

The council denied the charge and said the decision was based on environmental concerns alone.

The £4 a ticket Slough Firework Spectacular will now offer a funfair, trapeze show and an Elvis Presley tribute act instead of the traditional bonfire and burning of Guy Fawkes.

Councillor Dexter Smith, the council's commissioner for planning, said there was a "responsibility to look after our environment and reduce our carbon footprint".

He said the council wanted to promote a "cleaner, safer, greener" attitude and to "encourage residents to do what they can to improve the local and global environment".

Political correctness

Other councils have banned bonfires in the past, but this has mainly been on safety grounds.

Critics said the decision was an attempt to prevent cultural exclusion of ethnic minorities and that the fireworks show was now designed to appeal to those celebrating other events, including the Hindu festival of Diwali.

John Midgley, co-founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness, condemned the plans, saying people should be "proud to celebrate" Guy Fawkes night.

"This idea is from the same school of thought that says you can't celebrate Christmas or call a chairman 'a chairman'. It undermines our traditions and way of life," he said.

"Whether it be for environmental reasons or cultural reasons, it seems to be a daft decision that defies common sense."

Councillor Smith denied the move was made on cultural grounds.

"There is absolutely no truth in the suggestion that we made this decision to avoid offending any members of our community.

He said a bonfire's "carbon rate is much higher due to the fact it is all wood and burns for longer".

"We want to lead by example and it would have been hypocritical for us to have organised a huge bonfire which carries on burning long after visitors have left the event."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/b...re/7053609.stm

A bloody disgrace.