Discussion
Right, I am really pissed off at the moment.
The firework season has started and the streets are filled with little street rats firing these things in all directions with no regard for anyone's safety. And scaring old people (fcuk it, I'm scared of the things)
I have no problem with the big public displays, but I can see no reason why they should be sold to just anybody, surely their should be a ban on the sale.
Their sold in every news agent to just about anyone who wants them for very little cost.
I can hear them outside now literally at the rate of one every couple of minuets.
The police don't seem to do anything about it (although to be fair, where I would intervene in these little shits breaking windows or graffiting, I am hesitant to intervene to what is basically some little bastard with an explosive, and I can understand why the police are as well)
While I may be seen as boring and pissing on the party, I would be surprised if anything more then 1% of fireworks sold are used for anything other then throwing at innocent people.
I really think they should be banned (except for public displays), most people agree, but there's no sign of it being done.
>>> Edited by rpguk on Wednesday 9th October 20:50
The firework season has started and the streets are filled with little street rats firing these things in all directions with no regard for anyone's safety. And scaring old people (fcuk it, I'm scared of the things)
I have no problem with the big public displays, but I can see no reason why they should be sold to just anybody, surely their should be a ban on the sale.
Their sold in every news agent to just about anyone who wants them for very little cost.
I can hear them outside now literally at the rate of one every couple of minuets.
The police don't seem to do anything about it (although to be fair, where I would intervene in these little shits breaking windows or graffiting, I am hesitant to intervene to what is basically some little bastard with an explosive, and I can understand why the police are as well)
While I may be seen as boring and pissing on the party, I would be surprised if anything more then 1% of fireworks sold are used for anything other then throwing at innocent people.
I really think they should be banned (except for public displays), most people agree, but there's no sign of it being done.
>>> Edited by rpguk on Wednesday 9th October 20:50
I am in total agreement , the law should be changed to allow only organised displays, preferably by the Fire Brigade. Fireworks are explosives, you are required to hold an ADR licence (Hazardoud Goods by road) to transport them in bulk, but as long as your over 16 you can buy them unregulated from the corner shop. Ridiculous!
I totally agree, but not quite for the same reason.
Last year round my area, there were fireworks - I mean serious amounts of fireworks every night for a month. Now we have lots of playing fields and such like round here and some quite large gardens, so lot of room for people to burn up thousands of pounds of fireworks every nighht, albeit in relative safety from injuring people.
However, in the peak week of it, some evenings I had to put damp towels at the bottom of doors and keep all windows closed, because the amount of shite and smoke that was in the air was causing me considerable breathing difficulties which no sort of asthma inhaler would sort out.
Now, I hate to intervene and seem such a bloody old misery, but there really is no need for it at all. I bet not one kid under 16 now could tell you what Guy Fawkes night actually commemorates, so why have the bloody celebration with fireworks and shit???
I'm bloody glad all the main fireworks stupidity will be going on during BTaP where I'll be miles away from our house.
Last year round my area, there were fireworks - I mean serious amounts of fireworks every night for a month. Now we have lots of playing fields and such like round here and some quite large gardens, so lot of room for people to burn up thousands of pounds of fireworks every nighht, albeit in relative safety from injuring people.
However, in the peak week of it, some evenings I had to put damp towels at the bottom of doors and keep all windows closed, because the amount of shite and smoke that was in the air was causing me considerable breathing difficulties which no sort of asthma inhaler would sort out.
Now, I hate to intervene and seem such a bloody old misery, but there really is no need for it at all. I bet not one kid under 16 now could tell you what Guy Fawkes night actually commemorates, so why have the bloody celebration with fireworks and shit???
I'm bloody glad all the main fireworks stupidity will be going on during BTaP where I'll be miles away from our house.
Christ - I thought I was the only old misery-guts who felt like this. When I was a kid fireworks were only in the shops for about a fortnight. Now they're on sale all year round. And co-incident with the fire-work season is a new intake of students, who all think they're the first wacky guys in the world to let off industrial-grade fireworks into the small hours. Other, "Ali G", types enjoy using fireworks to create LA ghetto simulations - last year the Police tried to break up a street battle being fought with rockets, and of course the rockets were quickly turned on them.
I'm actually a fan of fireworks, but I'm fed up with North Bristol sounding like the Western Front for two months every year.
I could now start a rant about student accomdation/buy-to-let/multiple occupancy destroying communities but I'll save that for another day. Grrrrrrrrr....
I'm actually a fan of fireworks, but I'm fed up with North Bristol sounding like the Western Front for two months every year.
I could now start a rant about student accomdation/buy-to-let/multiple occupancy destroying communities but I'll save that for another day. Grrrrrrrrr....
Right .. let's get it banned.. .. 
Yertis - You're on the 'Think of the Children' Banner..
Simon - You;re the horribly burned child..
rpguk - Do you reckon you can get a dead canary and nail it to a banner as some sort of clean air protest?
Does anyone know someone who can do professional looking cosmetic serious burns?
Maybe we could burn a Billy Liar on a pyre too?
Anyone else care to contribute to the "Bollocks to Fireworks" campaign? A decent name wouldn't be a bad idea
Yertis - You're on the 'Think of the Children' Banner..
Simon - You;re the horribly burned child..
rpguk - Do you reckon you can get a dead canary and nail it to a banner as some sort of clean air protest?
Does anyone know someone who can do professional looking cosmetic serious burns?
Maybe we could burn a Billy Liar on a pyre too?
Anyone else care to contribute to the "Bollocks to Fireworks" campaign? A decent name wouldn't be a bad idea
Yep CZ my missis is a nurse and does lots of teaching about wound treatment. She has all the fake blood and bandages you need for a low budget B-movie!
Seriously though, I can't agree more. Last year my 7 year old answered the door before I could get to it and kids chucked firecrackers at her. If I'd been closer I'd be in jail by now. Ban 'em, unless used by organised and approved groups.
Seriously though, I can't agree more. Last year my 7 year old answered the door before I could get to it and kids chucked firecrackers at her. If I'd been closer I'd be in jail by now. Ban 'em, unless used by organised and approved groups.
Agree with the piddly small versions that you can buy on the high street being a nightmare - but give me an enormous cannon stuffed in the middle of a field (or preferably ten) any night.
As a friend of mine once so memorably put at the top of his voice, seated amongst Edinburgh's most worthy at the Festival Fireworks, "....doesn't the smell of cordite in the air really give you the horn....." the rest of the audience were more interested in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing in front of us, perhaps explaining the looks we were given.....
As a friend of mine once so memorably put at the top of his voice, seated amongst Edinburgh's most worthy at the Festival Fireworks, "....doesn't the smell of cordite in the air really give you the horn....." the rest of the audience were more interested in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra playing in front of us, perhaps explaining the looks we were given.....
The Fire Brigade strike will only be hitting one watch at a time so theres little chance of there being no cover at all. Carzee, I'm a little uncomfortable with having to burn a horrible child! 
but if you think it might help, I've got some thinners in the shed. I rather thought it might be fun to set some of these bloody things of in the newsagents, let the buggers see what its like to be surounded by Tw@s with explosive devices.
Edited due to it being so bloody early and not having anywhere near enough cafine in the blood stream yet!
>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 10th October 06:40
but if you think it might help, I've got some thinners in the shed. I rather thought it might be fun to set some of these bloody things of in the newsagents, let the buggers see what its like to be surounded by Tw@s with explosive devices. Edited due to it being so bloody early and not having anywhere near enough cafine in the blood stream yet!
>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Thursday 10th October 06:40
Hmm.
I see your point and sympathise (used to have a cat that shat it's self at loud noises)
But - When I was a kid we couldn't buy fireworks so we made our own. Now I'm a clever bugger and always used remote detonators and never ever went back to something that didn't go off but there are a lot of thick buggers out there who will hurt themselves (I don't care about them - I'm worried about the burden on my health service).
How about restricting the sale to a week before Nov 5th (except to professional displays). This will let the kids have thier fun/riot for a short enough time so that the obvious targets (ie everybody else) know when to keep their heads down.
I see your point and sympathise (used to have a cat that shat it's self at loud noises)
But - When I was a kid we couldn't buy fireworks so we made our own. Now I'm a clever bugger and always used remote detonators and never ever went back to something that didn't go off but there are a lot of thick buggers out there who will hurt themselves (I don't care about them - I'm worried about the burden on my health service).
How about restricting the sale to a week before Nov 5th (except to professional displays). This will let the kids have thier fun/riot for a short enough time so that the obvious targets (ie everybody else) know when to keep their heads down.
I must say that I am a bit of a pyromaniac.
I love doing small friends & family displays (up to £2k, 60 minutes and 75% aerial).
I do mine in the garden as it happens to open out to waste land at the rear and I can quite comfortably fit 20 people on the patio over 50 feet clear of the firing site.
Also when I order the packs/kits/selections (whatever you want to call them) I am usually specific about the contents. If the supplier sends an alternative/new model then I will test one of the batch out prior to the actual display night because if it is crap then the night of the display is too late to do anything about it.
I order mine direct from the importer, but the smalles still costs over £20. If these kids get a hold of them and abuse them like they do for the 'newsagent' fireworks then there are going to be a lot more kids in school with limbs missing. It was lucky they banned mortars when they did!
BUT I also agree that it is too easy for minors and 'scallys' to get hold of them and terrorise the Joe Public.
I love doing small friends & family displays (up to £2k, 60 minutes and 75% aerial).
I do mine in the garden as it happens to open out to waste land at the rear and I can quite comfortably fit 20 people on the patio over 50 feet clear of the firing site.
Also when I order the packs/kits/selections (whatever you want to call them) I am usually specific about the contents. If the supplier sends an alternative/new model then I will test one of the batch out prior to the actual display night because if it is crap then the night of the display is too late to do anything about it.
I order mine direct from the importer, but the smalles still costs over £20. If these kids get a hold of them and abuse them like they do for the 'newsagent' fireworks then there are going to be a lot more kids in school with limbs missing. It was lucky they banned mortars when they did!
BUT I also agree that it is too easy for minors and 'scallys' to get hold of them and terrorise the Joe Public.
Sorry to come in from a different tack but does anyone know where to get the biggest most evil bastard fireworks for sensible money ??? We're having a big burn up and probably throwing a Plumber or two on the fire the weekend after BT&P along with copious amounts of alcohol, food and fireworks. It's a bloody good night, another excuse for a piss up. Ban it ?
Bar humbug go piss on someone elses bonfire.
Besides I've got all the old wood from knocking down two sheds, plus a load of fence panels to get rid of, I'll be buggered if I'm going to spend £130 on a skip, I'd rather watch the same amount of money go up in smoke than give it to some 2nd generation pikie bin man family.
Bar humbug go piss on someone elses bonfire.
Besides I've got all the old wood from knocking down two sheds, plus a load of fence panels to get rid of, I'll be buggered if I'm going to spend £130 on a skip, I'd rather watch the same amount of money go up in smoke than give it to some 2nd generation pikie bin man family.
I don't think we want to ban it Mel. The sort of thing you have in mind is fine. Especially burning plumbers.
What RPGUK, Carzee and I are ranting about is the spotty kids letting them off at random all night long, two months either side of 5/11. I must admit I didn't realise it was a nationwide problem, assuming it was a uniquely Bristolian problem like ballooning and bad service.
What RPGUK, Carzee and I are ranting about is the spotty kids letting them off at random all night long, two months either side of 5/11. I must admit I didn't realise it was a nationwide problem, assuming it was a uniquely Bristolian problem like ballooning and bad service.
see the thing is that part of me actually *does* want to ban it..
The rational side of me doesn't though, because as you know I disagree with banning things, but lilbertarianism is about doing whatever the hell you like *provided no harm is done to anyone but yourself*. I'm therefore afraid that fireworks fall outside of the protection of my priciples in this case. If I'm just sitting in my house minding my own business and by 7 in the evening I'm experiencing severe breathing difficulties which are directly attributable to cnuts like some of you lot who want to burn a shedload of tat to make some pretty colours and some ickle banging noises, well frankly you can shove your fireworks up your arses and fcuk right off!
Tell me more about burning plumbers though
The rational side of me doesn't though, because as you know I disagree with banning things, but lilbertarianism is about doing whatever the hell you like *provided no harm is done to anyone but yourself*. I'm therefore afraid that fireworks fall outside of the protection of my priciples in this case. If I'm just sitting in my house minding my own business and by 7 in the evening I'm experiencing severe breathing difficulties which are directly attributable to cnuts like some of you lot who want to burn a shedload of tat to make some pretty colours and some ickle banging noises, well frankly you can shove your fireworks up your arses and fcuk right off!
Tell me more about burning plumbers though
I've no dislike of fireworks generally. The cheepo Standard fireworks are ok for entertaining the young nephews and nieces, and the more expensive rockets and the like are sometimes quite pretty. My problem are the above-mentioned groups of youths who continually set off airbombs and bangers (remember them?) yards from front doors and in some cases, through the bl00dy letterbox.
I prefer celebrating Bonfire Night with a blue-coloured sparkler and a glass of mead.
I prefer celebrating Bonfire Night with a blue-coloured sparkler and a glass of mead.
All you have to do is enforce the law that says you can't sell fireworks to kids. I think you have to be 16 to buy them...
I love fireworks, and used to organise my mates' parties for them, but what with Divali and such, it is getting a bit noisy - and people with pets know how alarming they can be at the best of times.
However, if you wish to sign a petition to get them banned, try here:
www.ethical-business.com/petitions.asp?pet_id=170
I love fireworks, and used to organise my mates' parties for them, but what with Divali and such, it is getting a bit noisy - and people with pets know how alarming they can be at the best of times.
However, if you wish to sign a petition to get them banned, try here:
www.ethical-business.com/petitions.asp?pet_id=170
So we compromise. Since fate saw fit to drop me in the same boat as you lung-wise Carzee, I sympathise with your predicament.
Control is what we need. Big expensive display fireworks available all year round through licensed outlets for people like Mel to put in plumbers. Irritating little fireworks available in High Street shops proven to have traded from that address for say two years* for a period of two weeks leading to Nov 5th.
* This clause to prohibit "Firework Shops" that open up for one month only in otherwise empty shops.
Control is what we need. Big expensive display fireworks available all year round through licensed outlets for people like Mel to put in plumbers. Irritating little fireworks available in High Street shops proven to have traded from that address for say two years* for a period of two weeks leading to Nov 5th.
* This clause to prohibit "Firework Shops" that open up for one month only in otherwise empty shops.
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