Its now the bonfire and fireworks season and there are a number of safe, family events being organised across Greater Manchester.

As there are so many events going on I have only listed events advertised on the Salford Council and Manchester Council websites. Apologies if you are looking for events in other local authority areas.

Council events are well organised and provide a safe environment for you to get the best out of every event you attend.

So here are details of some of the events going on between Friday 30th October and Friday 6th November in and around Manchester and Salford in November 2009.

Friday 30th October:

Debdale Park – M18 7LJ
Meet at the Event Field. Fireworks: 7.30pm and bonfire starts thereafter
Contact: 0161 223 8278.

Saturday 31st October:

Halloween Magic Garden
Lantern parade and animated magic garden includes a children’s pre-event party.
Parade 5.00-7.00pm Party 3.00-5.00pm
Albert Park, off Great Cheetham Street, Broughton.
Ranger Team 0161 793 4219

Witches Walk
Be afraid…be very afraid. The Witches Walk is back at Blackleach Country Park and it’s scarier than ever with more magic, mystery and mayhem on this popular walk. Please be aware that the trails will be very dark and uneven. 5.00-8.00pm
Meet at the Visitors Centre, Blackleach Country Park, John Street, Walkden, M28 3TD.

Monday 2nd November:

Crumpsall Park – M8 5SA
Family funfair and fireworks event: 6 – 8pm
Contact: 0161 795 2650.

Cringle Park – M19 3SD.
Meet at the Main Field. Family funfair and fireworks event: 6 – 8pm.
Contact: 0161 223 8278.

Tuesday 3rd November:

Philips Park – M11 4DQ.
Family funfair and fireworks event 5.30 -7.30pm – Sportcity (car park 6) http://www.medlockvalley.org.uk
Contact: 0161 223 8278

Brookdale Park – M40 1PE
Family funfair and fireworks event 6 – 8pm
Contact: 0161 795 2650.

Wednesday 4th November:

Boggart Hole Clough – M9 7DF
Family funfair and fireworks event 5.30 – 8.30pm
Contact: 0161 795 2650

Lighting the Legend presents ‘Green Bananas’
An amazing night-time spectacle at a secret location on the Quays. Join the lantern parade to the site of ‘Green Bananas’, a magical story inspired by real events and stories from the working people of the docks. Plus fireworks.
Meet at Fit City Ordsall at 6.30pm

Thursday 5th November:

Heaton Park- MetroLink Bonfire and Firework Display – M25 2SW
Meet at the Papal Fields event site. Firework display and funfair 7.30pm and bonfire 8pm. http://www.heatonpark.org.uk
Contact: 0161 773 1085

Wythenshawe Park – M23 0AB
Funfair and food area 4pm, fireworks 7.30pm and bonfire 8pm.
Contact: 0161 998 2117

Platt Fields Park – M14 6LP
Meet at the show field. Firework display and bonfire 7.30pm.
Contact: 0161 224 2902

Buile Hill Park Bonfire Night
Introducing a fantastic sculptured bonfire with a hidden secret. There will be a magnificent firework display and fairground rides for children.
Bonfire lit at 7.15pm, fireworks 7.30pm, fairground 6.00-9.00pm
Buile Hill Park, Salford, M6 8GL

Peel Park Bonfire, Little Hulton
Traditional bonfire and fireworks organised by local volunteers working with Salford Ranger Team
Bonfire 7.00pm, fireworks 7.30pm
Peel Park, Manchester Road West, Little Hulton, M38 9EG
Ranger Team 0161 793 4219

Friday 6th November:

Irlam Bonfire and Fireworks at Prince’s Park
Bonfire, stunning firework display and children’s fairground rides.
6.00-9.00pm; bonfire at 7.00pm and fireworks at 7.30pm
Prince’s Park, Liverpool Road, Irlam.

For up to date details of bonfire and fireworks events in Manchester and Salford visit the Salford Council and Manchester Council websites.

There are two organised events in Stockport………

Light in the Night – Bonfire Blast – A Stockport Civic Bonfire will be held at Heaton Norris Park sponsored by local charity “Calvary Chapel” on Thursday 5th November, 2009. (Heaton Norris Park, Love Lane, Stockport, SK4 1JA). The schedule for the evening is:-

5:45 pm – Doors open
6:30 pm – Bonfire lit
7:30 pm – Fireworks
9:00 pm – Event over

For more information phone 0161 443 2327 or visit Stockport Council’s website.

Marple Guides and Scouts Bonfire and Firework Display will be held at Brabyns Park, Brabyns Brow, Marple on 7th November 2009.

The schedule for the evening is:-

7:00pm – Bonfire
7:30pm – Fireworks
8:30pm – Finish

For more information visit Stockport Council’s website.

Many parts of the area are quite scenic and the Rivers Tame and Goyt both flow through the area.

Stockport is made up of a number of areas including Bramhall, Bredbury, Cheadle, Cheadle, Hulme, Compstall, Disley, Gatley, Hayfield, Hazel Grove, Heald Green, Heaton Chapel, Heaton Mersey, Heaton Moor, Heaton Norris, Heaviley, Marple, Mellor, Middlewood, New Mills, Offerton, Poynton, Reddish, Romiley and Woodford. These areas vary widely with some being predominantly urban in nature while others are suburban and rural.

There are many great things to see and do in Stockport and a few are listed below.

The Plaza – If you are looking for cultural experiences then why not visit the The Plaza, Mersey Square , Stockport . This is a 1930 style cinema theatre that is being restored to its former glory. It has a full schedule of shows and is well worth a visit.

Bramall Hall – a stunning example of a historic black and white timber-framed building

Chadkirk Chapel and Country Estate – a restored 14th Century Chapel, Country Estate and Local Nature Reserve located in Romiley, Stockport

The Hat Works – the Hat Works is a hat museum situated in a former hat factory in Wellington Mill, in Stockport town centre.

Stockport Viaduct – The Stockport railway Viaduct is a four-track railway viaduct which is a stunning architectural feature of the Stockport landscape. Built in Victorian times, it is 111 feet high (34 metres) and has 27 arches. The Stockport Railway Viaduct is now part of the main line rail service linking Stockport to destinations all over the UK.

Stockport Air Raid Shelters – During the Second World War a network of tunnels were created to provide air raid shelters for more than 6,000 people from Stockport . Located in the Chestergate area of Stockport , the Air Raid Shelters have been restored as a visitor attraction to show what life was like at the time.

Also of interest is Stockport Art Gallery. Another interesting destination is Staircase House a medieval building dating from around 1460. Another attraction, Vernon Park a Victorian park located in Offerton includes the Vernon Park Museum. The Stockport Story Museum, is a popular museum of Stockport’s history.

Stockport is home to two professional sports teams, Stockport County Football Club and Sale Sharks Rugby Union Football Club, both of which play at the Edgeley Park stadium.