Once again the Lyneham & Bradenstoke Parish Council would urge you to be considerate when lighting bonfires. Before you light your bonfire please remember your neighbours - and not necessarily those closely adjacent to you. Smoke, smuts and smell travel and can ruin the enjoyment of residents' gardens and prevent the opening of windows. As environmental matters are very much to the fore the following advice and guidelines which may be of some assistance to residents:

"Under the Environment Protection Act 1990 it is now an offence to cause a statutory nuisance. This includes smoke and/or fumes that are prejudicial to health (smoke from garden waste contains carbon monoxide and other noxious irritating compounds) and if a neighbour is causing a nuisance by burning, The local Environmental Health Department will take reasonable steps to investigate a complaint and take action under the above Act by issuing a nuisance abatement notice, and if the nuisance is repeated the offender risks prosecution. Disposal methods are available; waste can be taken to a local amenity site, or the local authority may collect bagged rubbish for a small fee, or in some cases free of charge. Household rubbish should never be burnt".

Bonfires - Are they necessary?
Lighting a bonfire can cause nuisance to your neighbours. It can be distressing to people suffering asthma or bronchial problems. Think carefully before lighting a bonfire. Consider alternative ways of disposing of your refuse, there is the Household Waste Recycling Centre near Sutton Benger.

Lighting Bonfires
If you must have a bonfire, observe the following rules:-

• Site the bonfire in a remote area of the garden, away from other properties.
• Burn only dry material.
• Douse the fire once the material has been consumed by the fire to avoid.
• Never leave a bonfire unattended.
• Consider your neighbours.

Please remember that it is an offence to cause a nuisance from lighting bonfires!

Composting is the environmentally friendly way of recycling garden waste. Rather than burning garden waste or putting food waste in the dustbin where it will end up buried or incinerated, a compost bin will produce a useful soil conditioner, saving money on commercial products. Woody waste can be shredded to make it suitable for composting or mulching; you can buy or hire shredders and some allotment societies have their own. If using a shredder, be considerate - they can be very noisy. Take care not to replace one nuisance with another.

Recycling Household waste should certainly not be burned on a bonfire. Many items can be recycled; find out about recycling facilities from your local council. Garden waste should not be mixed with other household waste. Ask your local authority what services they offer. Some local authorities provide larger ‘wheelie’ bins and allow garden rubbish to go in them. Waste can be taken to the local amenity site or your local authority may collect bagged rubbish free of charge. Old beds and sofas are not suitable for burning - some councils and voluntary groups collect old furniture for repair and re-use.