General Chat

Why do some inconsiderate people think its ok to start letting off fireworks, bangers etc weeks ahead of November 5th? Apart from scaring animals it must make many older people nervous especially in the small hours. I dont care for fireworks much anyway but at least wait for the big night when people can be sure their animals are safely inside and keep an eye on elderly relatives.

Cath x

That certainly seems to be the case but dont these morons have pets or elderly relatives. My dog spent half of last night cowering under the table. It makes my blood boil. I know there are regulations about when fireworks can go on sale but some seem to get hold of them early

Cath x

We usually get them all year round, for any type of celebration, and of course, for the nuisance value. This year has not been so bad, but a couple of weeks ago, I heard them as I went to bed one night, possibly a few streets away.
A few years ago, it was terrible as it got to about the end of September, and they set them off, just willy nilly. Now I suppose those culprits are abit older, and do not bother as much.
But not bad for an area where more people are living on benefits, than those that go to work. How do they afford them.
Julia in Derbyshire

They should be banned for sale to the general public.


Marion

Hi Rita,
they do seem to have become popular as part of wedding celebrations. In the right hands they are perfectly safe but these days with heightened security worldwide you have to wonder at the sense in letting anybody walk into a shop and buy as many as they like and walk about letting them off indiscriminately.

Cath x

Marion, I am inclined to agree that general sales should be banned.
Im not a party pooping old f**t and in the past have bought some for my children and grandchildren but only for a responsible adult to let off on the right night.
Perhaps its time they were sold only to be used at organized displays.
Julia, amazing what one can afford on benefits isn't it!

Cath x

I totally agree with you there Marion. Years ago when my children where young, we used to have a Community bonfire, put on by the local Fire Brigade, who also let off the fire works. The cost of these were met by donation.
Also, sometimes the local pub did the same, and it was a family occassion, with refreshments for all the family, inside the pub, when the fireworks had all gone off. In our small community, it was a lovely occassion for all the community and the children to get together. Everything was done under controlled conditions, with no danger.
After that, we all looked forward to a Christmas gathering put on in the same venue. Even the spirit of togetherness seems to be gone, as these do not seem to happen these days.
Julia in Derbyshire

i dnt think they should be sold so far way from bonfire night, but i think thy should still be sold,
cant you remeber being little and the fun you had watching the fireworks, i wuldnt deny any child that, even tho they annoy the hell out of me goinh off before bonfire night lol,
my cat gets locked int he house on 5th nov, but she doesnt mind then she watches then out the window, x
i dont mind here them now nd again on special occations, either, xxx

I love to see fireworks after weddings and special birthdays, it isn't just Indians who do that, by the way, my niece did after her wedding. We live at the of a hill so can often see them.

I do prefer organised displays and when our son was small we only had a few sparklers at home and went to an organised display afterwards.

The main problem seems to be with youngsters letting them off at all hours. If it wasn't fireworks it would be something else anti-social. Yobs will misuse anything to cause trouble.

Our neighbours' animals don't seem to get upset by fireworks. Maybe some animals are just upset by loud bangs of any kind. We have bird scarers going off all day here at certain times of year, we can hardly ban everything that makes a noise.

Gwynne

Gwynne - our last dog was terrified of fireworks, had to be sedated and that did not always work - used to take three adults to try and cope, upstairs, downstairs, trying to dig his way out of walls etc. And from that he then became frightened of thunder. Last 2 years of his life he became stone deaf and it was such a relief. He stood on the patio one night watching fireworks!

Public displays are best. But then saying that....what a waste of money up in smoke when people are starving.
You dont get much for £10 these days.

its getting to them, the traffic jams n then trying to park, not worth the bother
id rather buy some have the family round, n put on some grub lol, and its warmer for the kids watching them out the window in the warm and safer haha

Hi
its bad where i live for fireworks it really irritates me
karen

Hi Stray,
Im not against them totally, I just wish there weren't mindless yobs setting them off to deliberately scare or alarm people and animals. We had bonfire parties for ours when young and thoroughly enjoyed them.
If shops are only supposed to sell them at a certain time they should adhere to that or be severely fined.
I am sure most shop owners are responsible about the sale of fireworks but never the less some yobs are getting hold of them well before 5th November and continue to let them off afterwards as well.
Is it possible to buy them on internet? Maybe that is how they are bought so far in advance.

Cath x

There will be fireworks in Hastings this weekend.
There is always a Bonfire Boys procession through the town on the weekend nearest the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.
Fireworks on the beach follow.

I never have liked fireworks since a jumping cracker one leapt inside my young sister's boot, when we were very young. My own children had a few sparklers at home and we took them to organised displays.

Gwyn

One of the things we like in Tenerife are the organised displays that are let off on weekend nights. Saw some fabulous ones this year from our patio. And strangely they never seem to worry the dogs (and there are many) in the area.

But the ones let off in the streets here are a nuisance. Not that I have heard any yet this year.

Rita I don't think children can even buy sparklers.

And in 2012 Piglet Greenwich will become a Royal Borough - More celebrations.