ORGANISERS of this year’s popular bonfire and fireworks in Shaldon have been forced to cancel.

Parish councillors say they have taken the ‘very difficult decision’ following the closure of Marine Parade for essential work to stabilise the cliffs.

The Halloween event was due to have taken place on October 31.

Previously councillors had warned that the event going ahead was conditional on the road closure in place on Marine Parade being temporarily lifted by Devon County Council for the weekend of the event.

This was because this is the main route to the bonfire from the Ness car parks and is also a key evacuation route in case of emergency.

The parish council has been in talks with Devon County Council.

But parish councillors say they don’t believe there is ‘sufficient certainty’ that the closure will be lifted on October 31 to allow the necessary preparations for the bonfire to take place.

A parish council spokesman explained: ‘Many days of work are carried out by the volunteer bonfire build team in the weeks leading up to the event, and this, along with the significant expense incurred in storing and moving the large number of pallets required for the bonfire during this time, led councillors to believe it would be best to cancel the event now.

‘This ensures that as much notice as possible is given to all in the village, including our hospitality businesses, and to those considering visiting Shaldon.

'We are deeply sorry for the disappointment that the cancellation will cause, especially to all those families who were looking forward to our traditional Bonfire Night celebration.

‘This huge disappointment is shared by our volunteer councillors who have spent many days throughout 2026 preparing for the Shaldon Bonfire and Fireworks – an event we love.

‘However Shaldon Parish Council appreciates that the cliff stabilisation work being carried out by DCC above Marine Parade is important and necessary and, as the safety of everyone in Shaldon is of course our main priority, are glad that this vital work is now being done.’

The cancellation follows previous uncertainty about the event after Teignmouth Town Council announced it was to pull its funding.

The event had been a joint venture between both councils with fireworks being lit from the Point in Teignmouth.

But Teignmouth town councillors opted to withdraw funding after consideration over the lack of benefit to Teignmouth traders, the logistics for its staff and that it had no control over arrangements.

Following the clash, Shaldon councillors were determined to continue the event, the only free bonfire and fireworks event in the area, in the village.

There had been concerns the withdrawal of Teignmouth’s financial and logistical support might put the future of the event in significant jeopardy.

But earlier this year, parish councillors confirmed the event would go ahead and fireworks would continue to be fired from the Point.

The event was to have been funded from the financial reserves built up since the organisers took over in 2017.