Wildlife and Fireworks

[The Woodman]

Military range joke

On a field trip at Warcop looking at the effects of grazing following an indoor meeting, someone asked, "Why don't you use cattle instead of sheep?"

The answer came, "Because they make more mess".

[jerryh]

I do occasional work for a professional fireworks display company - particularly around Nov 5th.
This weekend, I ran 2 shows and worked on another. These shows were enjoyed by over 1000 people at each event.

The company I work for also sells fireworks to the public. I understand that the retail section has had reduced sales this year - probably not surprising in the financial climate.

Just to comment on some of the things said in this thread - in no particular order...

Fireworks parties at 2:30am are illegal in the UK. It is illegal for a member of the public to fire a firework in any public place at any time, and illegal for anyone to fire a firework between 11pm and 7am at any time of the year except for Bonfire night (midnight to 7am) and Diwali, New Year & Chinese New Year (1am to 7am).

The animal attack incident is absolutely appalling, but remember that it was perpetrated by people behaving illegally with fireworks.

For myself, I find the loud bangs to be part of the excitement of fireworks. That's one reason why I got involved!

In my opinion, organised displays are a good deal safer than domestic, garden fireworks. Professionals take many measures to ensure the safety of the public and crew - up to and including modifying, stopping or not starting a show if someone is too close or weather conditions change.

Jerry

[Brocakat]

It's as well to remember most firework accidents are from that most innocent-looking of firework - the sparkler.

[tcvarlh]

Even as a Kid I could never understand the pleasure in waving what is basically a white hot welding rod around. But then I never had any pyro-philic, -manic tendencies, fire was just there and you made one, used it, extinguished it. I don't get anything from laser shows either, so there you have it, the pyrotechnic manufacturers would be bankrupt if sales of their products were left to me.
h

[wizzo]

Unfortunately, the fact that something's illegal doesn't stop it happening. The police won't act against people letting them off at stupid o'clock anyway, especially on Bonfire night. The only sensible thing to do, is ban the use of fireworks by the general public, unless licenced to hold an organised display. This way, idiots wont be able to get hold of the darn things in the first place, animals will be safer and we can all enjoy a good nights sleep. Let's be honest, if all displays were properly organised and licenced, we would all benifit from bigger and better fireworks, and there would be far fewer accidents. I suppose we'll just have to suffer the excessive noise though!

[theresa dockery]

It's not the noise that bothers me, more the use of larger fireworks as 'rocket launchers', 'bazookas' or 'grenades' by the local 'young teams'.

Also the daft eejits who were launching various fireworks at my window (from their window, across the street) and lobbing them onto the heads of hapless strangers on the street below.

The bonfire was always my favourite part of Guy Fawke's night.
My parent's house has a proper fireplace & when I visit this winter, I'll be looking forward to sitting in front of the fire & roasting chestnuts