In this edition:

• UKPS 2008 Convention - Phil Dunford reports
• Made in China Part 2 - Our man in Liuyang, Jon Williams
• Firework Photography Part 2 - Richard Harwood
• Rolling the Perfect Tube - Dean Graham
• Pyro Crossword

The society aims to produce a high quality stand complete with fact sheets, dummy fireworks, photographs and video. The new committee will oversee the management and delivery of these public outreach activities. Any member who is interested in getting involved in running the stands or developing our exhibitions should get in contact with us.

Contributions of dummy fireworks or items of historical or cultural interest for use on the stands would be most welcome. The details of the new committee will be announced shortly.

We will be consulting both the HSE and at a local authority level both Police Firearms Liaison Officers and Fire Inspection Officers. We will also be approaching other applicable organisations thought relevant to the purposes of the committee. It is hoped we can find a common position and adopt this in our guidance.

We are looking to recruit a small number of current UKPS members who are are interested in joining the Documentation & Legislation Committee. Ideally prospective committee members will be familiar with and understand the primary legislation currently in force (Manufacture & Storage of Explosives Regulations - MSER). Committee members will contribute to the production of the guidance documents and liaise with third parties.

All interested persons should contact me at chairman (at) pyrosociety.org.uk.

Similar efforts are being made with Police firearms officers. Ultimately we intend to put together a definitive guidance document once we have all the facts and have made our case to the HSE et al. One of our members has already had encouraging discussions and we hope to have further news shortly about the new committee.

The UK Pyrotechnics Society is pleased to announce that we are planning a social meet at the Combermere Abbey Fireworks Champions 2008. Members will enjoy an exclusive discount off the ticket price! More details wil be posted here soon.

Three professional display teams will each stage a 10 minute display set to music. The event will culminate with a grand finale display by MLE Pyrotechnics Limited. There will also be a fireworks demonstration to start the evening.

Why not come along with a picnic and enjoy some pyro banter with society members! There will be a tour of the display site organised by the UKPS.

We hope to see you there. Already a member or thinking of joining? Come along and say hello!

Event details: http://www.combermerefireworks.co.uk

As you may be aware, the Society had made plans to hold its Annual General Meeting on this coming Sunday 20th April in Markyate, Hertfordshire. Due to a low number of expressions of interest in attending the AGM, it is with regret that we are now cancelling this planned meeting. It is extremely rare that we cancel any planned event at such short notice, but we do not genuinely feel the objectives of holding the AGM will be met if insufficient numbers of members are unable to attend.

We apologise for having to postpone the AGM at short notice, and will be writing to all members who have personally expressed or confirmed their planned attendance.

In today’s management meeting, we have decided instead to hold the AGM to coincide with our forthcoming mini convention day to be held on Saturday 3rd May, at the Big EARS (East Anglian Rocketry Society) rocket launch weekend event to be held near the village of Elsworth, Cambridgeshire. We believe holding the AGM at the same event as the convention will allow for a greater number of people to attend and participate in shaping the direction of the Society over the next 12 months.

For details of the convention site and directions, visit http://www.ears.org.uk

The convention will consist of a day of lectures, talks, practical demonstrations, and naturally a professionally organised fireworks display, fired by the Society’s own display team.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

11:00 – 12:00 : Arrival, Registration, Tea / Coffee / Juice
12:00 – 13:00 : Wheels – Artistic Theory and Practical Design
13:00 – 13:45 : Lunch
13:45 – 15:00 : Choreographed Computer Firing – Pyromusicals and More
15:00 - 15:10 : Break
15:10 - 16:10 : Making Rocket Motors + Test Firing
16:10 - 16:20 : Break
16:20 - 17:20 : Guest Lecture
17:20 - 17:35 : Fireworks Display Site Tour
17:35 - 20:00 : Videos & Stories
20:45 - 21:00 : Fireworks Display
21:00 - Late : Social

We intend to hold the AGM at some point in the early evening. It will provide an opportunity for much discussion and will have a direct impact on the way the Society prioritises for meeting the needs of the membership over the next year. The format will be generally informal. Officials for 2008/2009 will be elected at the AGM.

We sincerely hope you will be able to join us for what we know from past experience is always a fun day out!

The cost of attendance is only £6.00 for members and £10.00 for non-members and guests. If you have nothing planned for the weekend of Saturday 3rd of May then you should have no excuse not to come along! Aside from the pyrotechnics activities, the weekend promises some of the most impressive model and high power rocketry launches in the UK. Families are made very welcome at these events, so if you have children why not bring them along!

If you are interested in coming along for this popular event, please email us at events@pyrosociety.org.uk so we can anticipate numbers.

After our last convention which turned out to be very successful and well received, we are pleased to announce plans for our 2008 convention.

As some of you may know, the site that we shared with UKRA in Heckington, Lincolnshire is no longer available. Both UKRA and ourselves were very shocked and disappointed by this news but fortunately we have managed to secure a location in co-operation with EARS (East Anglian Rocketry Society). The site therefore has now moved to the village of Elsworth in Cambridgeshire.

Google Maps Directions

The site, which is situated a few minutes outside of the village, is used for both model and high-powered rocketry. We will also be conducting seminars, demonstrations and firings of our own, concluding in a firework display.

The event is scheduled for Saturday 3rd May 2008. On-site camping is available so you can stay for the UKPS event, watch the display, have a chat, food and drink, bunk down and then watch more rocketry the next day.

The proposed schedule for the event is as follows:

11:00 – 12:00 : Arrival, Registration, Tea / Coffee / Juice
12:00 – 13:00 : Wheels – Artistic Theory and Practical Design
13:00 – 13:45 : Lunch
13:45 – 15:00 : Choreographed Computer Firing – Pyromusicals and More
15:00 - 15:10 : Break
15:10 - 16:10 : Making Rocket Motors + Test Firing
16:10 - 16:20 : Break
16:20 - 17:20 : Guest Lecture
17:20 - 17:35 : Fireworks Display Site Tour
17:35 - 20:00 : Videos & Stories
20:45 - 21:00 : Fireworks Display
21:00 - Late : Social

As we are running this event in conjunction with EARS, those who have paid to attend Big EARS will have access to our event, and UKPS delegates will be able to partake in EARS events (mainly just watching the rockets fly). Details of the entry fee are to follow. This is a members-only event so if this sounds like your sort of thing and you aren’t a member, make sure you join.

The cost of attendance is only £6.00 for members and £10.00 for non-members and guests.

If you are interested in coming along for this popular event, please email us at events@pyrosociety.org.uk so we can anticipate numbers.

We are pleased to invite members and non-members to our yearly AGM, which will take place this year in the village of Markyate in Hertfordshire. The meeting is a great opportunity for people to come, hear and see what the society has been doing over the past 12 months and its plans for the next year. All board positions are up for election this year. Voting will take place at the meeting.

While those who are not members may not vote – they can still make suggestions and see what opportunities exist to help the society out; There are plenty. Needing more volunteers is a must to meet the targets set for the next year.

We have arranged a number of pick-up points from the Midlands and from train stations around Markyate – so there is no excuse not to come along!

Drinks and sandwiches will be served throughout the event. Some good country pubs are in the area and we will give those a try after the AGM.

AGM Agenda 2007 – 2008 / 20th April 2008

Arrival and coffee 13:00-13:30
The Chairman’s briefing 13:30-13:45
Accounts 13:45-14:15
Break 14:15-14:30
Factory Site discussion – update/Q&A 14:30-15:15
Events 2008-2009 15:15-15:45
Roles and Positions – We need your help! 15:45-16:15
Break 16:15-16:30
Elections 16:30-17:15
Clean up and location departure 17:15-17:30
Pub/Social 17:30-19:00

We apologise that the AGM has been delayed until April – but we feel that it was better to hold the AGM after the busy Easter period where travel is quicker and cheaper.

Travel Directions:

From the M1, exit at junction 9. At the roundabout take the exit sign posted A5 – Dunstable. Drive down the A5 ignoring any exit to Markyate until you reach a double set of traffic lights. Immediately after those traffic lights turn left into Markyate. At the first junction turn left into the High street and immediately right onto Cavendish Road. Travel up the hill and the village hall is located through a gate on your right.

Pick-up: We will pick up from the following stations:
Hemel Hempstead: 11:45
Harpenden: 12:15

If you intend to join us please email events at pyrosociety.org.uk so we can estimate numbers for refreshments. Members and non-members are welcome. Please quote your membership number if you are a member.

We hope to welcome you to the AGM.

Regards,
The UK Pyrotechnics Society.

1. Chairman (Currently Richard H)
2. Secretary (Currently John W)
3. Safety Officer (Currently Adam W)
4. Treasurer (Currently Gal-on B)

These four individuals make up the society management team. This team then chooses a newsletter editor, membership secretary and a few other smaller roles from within the membership base.

The society also had a vice chairman, however, from our previous experience this is not needed for an organisation of our size and the role is not required for the foreseeable future.

Any member either current or prospective of the society that is paid up by the 25th February 2008 can put forward their application for any one of the above roles. That means that those who are not currently eligible can join the society and submit their appointment. If you are not sure whether you are eligible (because you submitted your membership request but have yet to get a card – or you are still waiting for your renewal letter), then please send a message to the secretary by either a PM or e-mail.

The following position holders have already expressed their interest in nominating themselves for re-election in 2008:

Richard H - Chairman
Adam W - Safety Officer
Gal-on B - Treasurer.

John has done a great job at fielding the secretary position for the last two years, but has asked to step down as he feels his current workload does not permit him to continue at the standard required for this position.

Role Descriptions:

1. Chairman – You will be required to have experience in managing similar size organisations. The society is not currently large enough to require full-blown company management experience but familiarity in managing a sports club, hobby club or other type of organizations is important.

In this role you will have to lay down the vision for the direction and responsibilities of the society and put forward a plan for these visions to happen. This role has legal responsibilities and obligations, which must be fulfilled.

2. Secretary – The secretary is responsible for the every day operation of the society. The secretary is required to communicate procedure, check that time tables are met and make sure that all teams operate as agreed by the society management.

This position is probably the most time consuming of all positions as it requires at least one communication every two-weeks with all members of the management team. This role has legal responsibilities and obligations, which must be fulfilled.

3. Safety Officer – You will put in place safety procedures for our events and operations and be responsible for ensuring that these are being followed so as to keep the society running in a safe manner.

4. Treasurer – Responsible for managing the society’s budget and ensuring all income and outgoings are reported and in good order. Also responsible for filing the annual accounts and delivering statutory documents to HMRC and Companies House.

Candidates should be aware that all positions require occasional travel to attend meetings, site surveys and other business matters. Certain expenses will be compensated but all board members are expected to be reasonable and practicable regarding this issue. Please remember we are a non-profit organisation and depend upon the assistance of volunteers to sustain our existence.

No roles are renumerated by wage or salary.

Members who wish to stand for election need to submit a short half page candidate notice; describing themselves and why they are fit for the position. A list of candidates will be published by the 1st of March and put to vote in the AGM, which is scheduled for mid-March (announcement will soon follow).

PLEASE NOTE that the secretary position is currently fully open and has no candidates are nominated as of yet. If you have the time and organization skills, please consider standing. Anyone thinking about doing so should contact John W to understand any legal implications arising from this position before making a decision.

Regards,
UK Pyrotechnics Society Management Team