Effigy and all things fire ***updated****
Sam B
Public
Seen by 39
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I have spoken to site (24/01) regarding fires. They have 2 small fire pits (circles of stones) where all fires need to stay. One is 2 and a half ft in diameter, one is 3 ft. This unfortunately rules out the large effigy I had planned.
However, site have agreed to us potentially bringing 3-4 metal fire pits with us (the kind with legs), which we would use solely for an effigy burn on the Saturday night. I have an idea for 3-4 smaller effigies burning simultaneously with some surprises…..
There is an important caveat- the site is in the middle of Forestry Commission land, and if they are experiencing a drought at the time of the burn, the FC can introduce a fire ban at any time leading up to the event. If this happens there is nothing we or site can do, we just have to accept it. Any fire ban would most likely not affect outdoor fires and we would still probably be able to use the wood burners to heat the indoor spaces (there are 3 levels to the ban: outdoor fires then BBQs, then all fires, depending on the seriousness of the drought).
The site is currently experiencing drought conditions with no real rain for the last 5weeks, so this is a real possibility.
The site also does not allow any fire spinning/dancing, so please leave your fire toys at home (you won’t hear me say that very often…).
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Original post-
I would like to start a discussion about a potential effigy and how we make decisions around art projects. I have an idea for an effigy which I would love to realise at this burn, but I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes! I would love to hear if anyone else has been thinking of something, and discuss ideas with anyone interested.
Allan Wed 19 Jan 2022 6:08PM
One of insurance crew here. I wouldn't be too concerned about the insurance implications. Bonfires tend to be excluded from most policies anyway. There is no current policy, it's all going to be a process of negotiation & setting out the risk reduction/people safety measures we've put in place. At this point it's too early to say anything, indeed we're only in the risk assessment stage and haven't approached insurers yet.
Agree we need a better idea of what is on site for fires, size, etc.
Allan Wed 19 Jan 2022 6:11PM
It may be the case we need to scale back ambitions for the effigy, though a lot depends on the size of the fire pits. Maybe we can get them to send us a picture so we've got a better idea.
It does sound though that 8x8 may be too big, also it doesn't sound from their replies that they'd be up for us constructing a burn platform if it goes beyond their pre-established fire pits.
Sam B Wed 19 Jan 2022 6:28PM
I really hope we will still be able to do a larger effigy, but it is beginning to seem quite unlikely. I think I will still prepare the frame for what I was planning anyway, just in case we do end up getting the go ahead. If we can’t do this effigy for Celtic Burn, then I really want to do it at some event at some point anyway, as I have been planning it for ages!
In the meantime, I have an idea for something we can do for burn night instead, which will not be as impressive but will still be effigy-like.
Let’s wait and see if we can get any further information/answers from site, I will raise this in the meeting on Monday and see how people feel about me contacting site directly about the effigy. I am aware we may want to minimise contact with site, or at least limit the number of people contacting them to avoid hassling them.
Fran Ellis Wed 19 Jan 2022 8:25PM
Heyooo they said I can give them a bell next week if you want me to let them know you’ll be calling instead, Sam? The main thing I wanted to talk about was the parking situation, so if you do the call it would be great if you could try get some clarity on that @ same time. Lemme know x
Sam B Thu 20 Jan 2022 9:06AM
Hey Fran, I will give you a call to discuss this in the next couple of days, I would like to speak to them if possible to exhaust every option with the effigy. It would be a shame not to have a big silly fire!
But I’ll call you (maybe Saturday?) to go through everything you were planning on asking so we can minimise calls to site
Sam Lee Thu 20 Jan 2022 9:12AM
A thought from reading this - When I was there they were very worried about drought forest fire so if you call, just know that's a big concern for them.
Fran Ellis Thu 20 Jan 2022 9:58AM
Hey Sam, that sounds good! Getting my dreads done in Scarbs on Sat but I’ll WhatsApp you to arrange x
Sam B Tue 25 Jan 2022 6:24AM
I have updated the post with new information from site, please read
Sam B Thu 27 Jan 2022 8:36PM
I have changed my mind again!! 🤣🤣
I’m now going to run an effigy building workshop for whoever is interested, where we can split into 3-4 (depending how many fire pits we get) groups and each group build a small effigy.
All tools will be supplied (we’ll have to share between groups), and we should be able to scrape together enough free materials for such small effigies pretty easily. I will probably still add some surprises afterwards… 🔥🔥🔥😈 🔥🔥🔥
Richard North · Wed 19 Jan 2022 3:49PM
I’m all for building a non-flammable base and don’t think it’ll be an issue funding and getting it built but I think we need to check in with the insurance crew first. I suspect a lot of back and forth with the vendors and even if agreeable, there may have to be a sub-clause written up to cover this as the current policy, I imagine, doesn’t cover us for fires outside the designated areas. This may well mean additional deposits and or indemnities.
I think we also need to ascertain what they mean by fire pit? Is it a 500mm round metal 1/2 dome on legs, something dug into the ground or a ring of stones surface level.