Black Country firms and families have rallied to save the Midlands biggest bonfire after it was destroyed by yobs. There has been a massive response since the story broke in the Express & Star.

Louts broke into the grounds of Himley Park on Wednesday and set 2,000 pallets on fire which had been built for tomorrow’s bonfire. Now members of the public and firms who have stepped in to make sure the fire will be roaring at the Strictly Fireworks event, set to attract 30,000 visitors.

Adrian Butcher from Himley Park said there had been more 1,000 pallets collected since the appeal was launched yesterday, with more lorries arriving this morning.

“Everyone has been brilliant since the appeal went out. We have had donations from large steel companies, small businesses and even smaller donations from members of the public, ” said Mr Butcher.

“We have been delighted with the way the public has rallied around and the bonfire will go ahead.”

Volunteers have put a new twist on the Bob the Builder slogan ‘can we fix it’ with ‘can we rebuild it – yes we can.’

Among those helping out was Paul Gilkes of Gilkes Homes Ltd whose firm is working on homes near Maidensbridge Primary School in Wall Heath when teachers asked them if they could take some pallets to the park. “They told us about the situation at Himley, and because we had a truck they asked us if we could take some of the pallets down that they were going to use for their bonfire tonight, ‘ said Mr Gilkes.

Sally Piazzalunga Dudley leisure officer, said “As you would expect, everyone involved in organising the bonfire was absolutely gutted following the attack. But our spirits were soon lifted by the response from the community.”

Picture: Sean Perry, Mark Manders, Alan Peace and other workers in the background are confident that they will have the Himley Park bonfire ready for Saturday.

By Wayne Beese