Just what is a good distance to stay from a bonfire? If you're adorned in paramilitary regalia, I'd suggest as far away as possible. If we are ever to see widespread public acceptance and/or support for bonfires then the paramilitary connection, particularly 'shows of strength', have to end.

That's why I'm pleased that Paul Hoey, chairman of the Crown Project in east Belfast, has received assurances that there will be no repeat of last years paramilitary display at Pitt Park, which may have jeopardised a council funding scheme for bonfires. That's why I I'm glad that the council in Larne is working with bonfire organisers on environmental health issues, and hope they will also ensure that the bonfire will be free from paramilitarism.

Follow up:

If the paramilitaries won't stop these childish displays because it's wrong to glorify killing your neighbours, then perhaps they should consider abstaining from them on the grounds that they're giving bonfires, and indeed their whole communities, a bad name. There has been criticism (unfortuantely often valid criticism) that, as well as making an unsightly mess of the local areas, they promote illegal paramilitary organisations. In fact when the kids in our estate built a bonfire when I was young, one of the reasons for such a small estate doing so, was that many of us didn't want to get too close to the more sinister displays in other estates nearby. Yes they had bigger bonfires, and more people, but it just wasn't worth it.

Bonfires are supposed to be a celebration, and the gangsterism and vicious and often random violence of the last 30 years is nothing to be celebrated. I myself have heard anecdotal evidence of Catholics, pre-troubles, watching the bonfires with their neighbours, something the vast majority would be too afraid to do now, and who can blame them. If we want to celebrate our culture, we have to celebrate just that - culture. The paramilitary "shows of strength" just detract from what should be a traditional celebration that everyone can enjoy, free from fear and intimidation, in the sort of environment parents would be happy to bring their kids to.

Now I'm away for a shower - I feel dirty after that display of shameless optimism.