“Skinningrove’s Greatest Showman” was our tribute to Harry Cooper, who lived in North Skelton in the late 1880’s. As well as being a local miner, working many of the ironstone pits in the area, Harry was, at 8ft 6in tall, possibly the tallest man in the world. That must have made those low, narrow pits quite a challenge! It comes as no surprise, then, that when spotted by a visiting circus in Brotton, Harry leapt at the opportunity for a life away from the mines. He toured Britain for a number of years before his extraordinary height came to the attention of the acclaimed P T Barnum and he was tempted across the Atlantic to enjoy a successful career in America. Our 2019 Bonfire will have a very strong Circus theme. The main structure of the bonfire was a huge circus tent with our own tribute to Harry Cooper featured prominently. During the lead up to the Bonfire the children worked really hard in workshops creating some wonderful circus themed piece of art work which were displayed around the village on the night for all visitors to enjoy. To add more atmosphere to the circus themed night there was Children’s fairground attractions on high street. Skinningrove Bonfire started in 1982 and has provided a community bonfire event each year since then. The whole village gets involved with the bonfire as a giant sculptural construction which is illuminated by fireworks before burning on Tuesday Nov 5th 2019 at 7pm. Local people are involved in the fundraising events throughout the year which, along with grant funds from local organisations such as Loftus Town Council, East Cleveland Villages Big Local and Redcar and Cleveland Council. Help in kind is given by companies and individuals including Dawson Robinson Haulage and many more. We have received prizes from many different sources and this year that includes a stay at a B&B in Ruswap Hall in Ruswarp. Fundraising efforts include a regular bingo and raffles taking place throughout the year. This year, for the first time, the fundraising team also held a fantastic summer Carnival, which was very well received by all. The Carnival raised over £2200 which is a huge help towards the costs of putting on such a popular annual event as the Skinninghrove Bonfire. The Carnival itself was aided by funding from The Big Local, as well as the weather, which was on our side as we had an uncommonly HOT Bank holiday weekend which helped everyone to have a fantastic day !! The annual cost of the bonfire is in excess of £11000, this a monumental amount of money and is only achievable through funding and fantastic fundraising. The money is spent on insurances, toilet facilities for the evening, Harris fencing, materials, G2fireworks and medics UK as well as the many other aspects of arranging and putting on such a large event. Even the nails that hold the bonfire together have to be paid for!! There are a team of local people leading the workshops on the beach to build the construction and mothers and helpers run activities in the village hall so that the local children can contribute to the bonfire celebrations with festoons and decorations to make the village very special. Whilst the Bonfire and decorations are created by local volunteers, our fireworks display is provided by G2 Fireworks who we have worked closely with for many years.