WE would like to express our thanks and appreciation to everyone who came to the Millennium bonfire on Holcombe Hill on New Year's Eve for helping to make it the unique experience it turned out to be.

Who will ever forget the sight of the snake of burning torches as the procession wound its way up the hill into the swirling mist at the top?

There is no doubt that the good humour and patience of the much larger crowd than expected ensured the evening passed off safely, peacefully and without incident.

This was a real community event, created and run entirely by teams of volunteers both on the night and for months before. It happened thanks to the sterling efforts of many people: the "foot soldiers" who turned out in all weathers to collect, transport, store and finally build the bonfire on the top of the highest hill in the borough; the unfailingly cheerful torch-sellers facing thousands of unexpected customers; the heroic marshals getting the torch-lit procession underway through the gridlocked village; those hardy types lighting the bonfire and setting off the fireworks on top of the hill, who defied the elements; the ever-growing team who took part in the planning and preparation; and all those who turned out on New Year's Day to clear up.

Last, but not least, we are also indebted to all the organisations that helped us directly or indirectly. These included Bury MBC, Bury Football Club, Bury Van Hire, Danisco, Fort James, Garic Plant Hire, Groundwork Landscapes, Holcombe Church, Hollywood Snacks, Manchester Safety Services, Pennine Telecommunications, Ramsbottom Cricket Club and TNT.

Our very best wishes for the New Year to everyone who attended and left us with very special memories of a very special night

JOHN IRELAND, LUISE NANDY,

Holcombe Millennium

Beacon Group.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.