Merseyside dad fears he will be homeless with newborn baby after scary Bonfire Night letter

Jon Finch feels he has put his head on the block after volunteering to organise a community bonfire.

Jon has lived on Fairbrook Drive in north Birkenhead for 38 years having taking over the lease for his mum’s house after she died two years ago. Now he is scared he may lose his family home after a warning letter from social landlord Magenta Living.

The caution is because he put his name down as the organiser for the annual bonfire event at Bidston Rise. Jon has been involved since he was eight and said there had never been any issues with events before.

Community Bonfire Night events have been a tradition in Wirral for many years, but this year, tensions arose due to concerns that required the bonfire sizes to be smaller. All events including those that have been held for decades were required to undergo an approval process.

This was implemented following recommendations from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) and a new policy approved by councillors earlier this year, after a successful trial in 2024. MFRS indicated that some bonfires last year were considered unsafe, leading to the need for stricter regulations moving forward.

In Bidston, what started out as a small event has now become one hundreds attend. Jon said: “I put my head on the block. Magenta promised they would help me in any way they could.”

He said he first told the housing association about the plans in July and kept them up to date. He filled out a form needed to do the event, began collecting wood with neighbours, and started building it several weeks ago.

After issues were raised about pallets in people’s gardens and construction started, Jon claims he was told by the council Magenta now opposed the fire on their land. However last Thursday (October 30), he claims a Magenta representative told him the event had the green light.

He missed a call the next day as he was in hospital for the birth of his child but on November 3, a letter came through the door telling him his lease was at risk. Jon has pulled out of the event and told Magenta he would be having no part in it over fears he would lose his home.

The letter, seen by the LDRS, said the bonfire had been built without permission and posed significant safety risks, adding Magenta withdrew permission for the bonfire after advice from insurance. The landlord said the bonfire had increased significantly in size over the weekend and greatly exceeded guidelines set out by Wirral Council.

The letter said burning would not be allowed, adding: “Such actions are strictly prohibited under your tenancy agreement and will be considered a breach of your tenancy conditions […] If the bonfire is lit or if there are further attempts to use Magenta Living land for unauthorised activities, we will have no option but to take formal action.

“This may include seeking to recover any costs associated with removal and remediation of the site.”

Jon told the LDRS: “It was scary. I suffer with my mental health. All my life, this has been my family home of 38 years and I am petrified of losing it. My girlfriend is worried we are going to end up on the street with a newborn.

“I was nearly crying. I love Bonfire Night. It’s about the kids for me. I love to put a smile on the kid’s faces. The people around here do not have anything.

“We are not doing anyone harm. We are bringing communities together. We are coming together as a community.

“People are absolutely gutted. When I put the post up, everybody I spoke to is absolutely gutted asking what is going on. I am trying to do something good.”

Jon said he feels like he has let the whole community down but felt he had no choice but to pull out after being told he was to blame if someone else set it on fire. He told the LDRS: “I have done everything that have asked me for.

“Every time they asked for an appointment I met them. I have done everything they have required.

“I feel like they have thrown it back in my face. I feel like I have let myself down. I have lived in this community all my life, I do not know any different.”

A Magenta Living spokesperson said: “Ensuring the safety of our residents and the community remains our top priority. We cannot comment on individual customer tenancy matters.”