I HAVEN'T seen any bommies on my travels this year.

Time was when there were wooden teepees on nearly every street corner.

It seems that the safety message that organised bonfires are best has got through, but they really must be cheaper than doling out pounds to go up in smoke.

I have some happy memories of fires in Westleigh, when people were dafter and didn't really bother about strict safety codes like they do today, and the days of the dreaded jack jumper, when the event lasted for one night, not six weeks.

I won't forget one of my 'hard nut' little male friend throwing one towards his mum and it blew one stocking clean off her suspenders. We were thrilled, but how stupid can you get?

Bonfire night provides explosive entertainment for us, but don't forget to keep the animals safe. My little Westie was OK with loud bangs until Millennium night when everything went over the top. Now she's scared stiff.

Fire organisers are also asked to do a hedgehog check with a torch before lighting the stack. And please make sure its only the Guy that gets burned.