12 replies to this topic

[David]

This is a topic for discussion-


Do Fireworks have a valuable role for New Years Eve? My answer, frankly, is no.

I hate new years eve with a passion. The idea that you are almost obliged to go out and get really drunk to "celebrate a new year" is , frankly, a load of tosh. I usually stay at home and do nothing. I certainly don't really see any grand appeal in waiting up until midnight.

So, fireworks. What is their role?

Firstly, given that most people are drinking on New Years Eve there are obvious safety issues.
Secondly, its midnight. Which means its cold, people (who arn't drunk) are likely to be tired, and moreover, Its midnight- for f's sake, let people sleep who want to. It must be hell for people who have to work on New Years day to get woken at midnight.

The English (unlike, say, the Chinese or the Scots) have never really made a big deal out of New Year celebrations anyway.

Edited by David, 27 November 2007 - 05:09 PM.

[seymour]

Come on! Who cares what the celebration is, join in. It is fun!

[ITCHI]

It's one of the few times of the year people can shoot fireworks and get away with it.
Just a few shells at the stroke of midnight to ring in the New Year with a bang, my way of celebrating.
I have to follow so many rules and regulations year round and obid by so many stupid laws that are there to protect idiots from themselves, so on the 4th of July and New Years eve I like to send up some shells and a nice roman candle barrage, a cremora fireball or two and maybe a few strings of firecrackers just to have some fun in my own special way.
Most folks round these parts understand it is very seldom we, who love fireworks, get to enjoy them and we also try to show some manners by not shooting them till wee hours of the morning.

[pyrotrev]

Yes, let's make the most the most of any opportunity to have some fun and bring other people enjoyment through our art. We have few enough opportunities to have any kind of general celebration in the UK, let's not miss this one. The point about alcohol is valid, but applies every bit as much to Bonfire night parties, weddings etc. I for one am more than willing to moderate my alcohol intake until after I've pressed START on the firing system, besides which the pubs round here normally stay open until 04.00 anyway

[David]

I was talking more about consumer fireworks- the sale of fireworks to the public for New Years Eve, rather than professional displays.

I don't object to properly organised professional displays (there is the noise, but that is a perpetual issue with all fireworks.)

The point about alcohol is valid, but applies every bit as much to Bonfire night parties,

I would, politelty, disagree. For many people bonfire night is a display in the back garden for the family, on a weeknight. Starting from 6pm, usually until about 9pm there might be some drinking at bonfire night parties, but it certainly isn't an all night binge. Again, most people at bonfire night parties are families, not the all night drinking crowd.

As such the vast majority of fireworks on bonfire night are fired by, and fired to crowds that are, sober.

The thing with New Years Eve is that (In the UK at least) there is very much a "get really drunk" culture about the whole event.

I don't know anyone who would be happy to have JUST a new years eve display without the booze.

As such, it seems to be like an accident waiting to happen- some lads get boozed up, go out at midnight to let off a firework, serious accident, and they all get banned, taking bonfire night down with it.

I feel it would be best to phase out the public use of fireworks for New Years Eve. Seasonal shops and supermarkets are allowed to sell fireworks for (I think) three days prior to New Years Eve, which means that people are picking up fireworks along with thier massive multiboxes of Carling, and that I feel is where the main danger lies.

Edited by David, 28 November 2007 - 02:34 PM.

[The Legendary Graham]

phase it out for new year and you open up an opportunity for the black market people.
blackmarket = dangerous fireworks, best to just let people get on with it.

[David]

phase it out for new year and you open up an opportunity for the black market people.
blackmarket = dangerous fireworks, best to just let people get on with it.

In my view, most people do obey the law. Also the public are liable to persusasion- if they see posters advertising "New Year Fireworks" at Tesco then they are likely to buy them.

The fact is, in the UK New Years Eve is an established celebration, most people are probably happy with the drinking/singing etc. Fireworks are a relativly new part of this.

For sure, if they banned DRINKING on new years eve then there would be a thrieving black market for booze. Likewise if they ban fireworks on November 5th- here comes the black market.

But consumer fireworks on New Years Eve, I think most people would be happy to do without. I don't know anyone who plans their New Year Celebrations round a fireworks display.

Edited by David, 29 November 2007 - 09:49 PM.

[seymour]

In my view, most people do obey the law

True.

But it is the ones who do not care about the law, or more accurately other people, that cause us all trouble, and that includes on New Years. I would much rather they were shooting roman candles at each other than black market 2" shells, or trying to blow up a letterbox with a taped up ground bloom flower than an M-80.

Edited by seymour, 30 November 2007 - 04:23 AM.

[Rip Rap]

The trend for fireworks at New Year only really started (around here anyway) with the millenium celebrations. Firework sales were pushed by manufacturers & retailers for that, because this was a "special" New Year after all. I can remember that New Year well (funnily enough ) & there appeared to be far more people letting off fireworks from their back gardens than there ever was / is on Nov 5th. I recall that in our street, every house appeared to be letting them off (albeit only over about an hour) but on Nov 5th, I would estimate that only 50% actually let off fireworks.

New Years since then have seen less people letting off fireworks, but still a sizeable amount. The people who like fireworks obviously are pleased as it is 1 more date in the calendar they get an excuse to light up their street. The people who never liked fireworks anyway obviously are not happy because there are now 2, yes 2 nights a year when their neighbours will disturb them with fireworks.

Also the public are liable to persusasion- if they see posters advertising "New Year Fireworks" at Tesco then they are likely to buy them.

Sorry - that is not a viable argument at all imo. You aren't "likely to buy something" just because it is offered for sale. You buy it if you want it. Most members of the general public aren't lemmings who see an advertisement & feel they have to buy it. Someone who doesnt like or is indifferent to fireworks is hardly likey to buy some just because Tesco has a sign up advertising their sale.

[David]

You aren't "likely to buy something" just because it is offered for sale. You buy it if you want it. Most members of the general public aren't lemmings who see an advertisement & feel they have to buy it. Someone who doesnt like or is indifferent to fireworks is hardly likey to buy some just because Tesco has a sign up advertising their sale.

This is off topic, but many people are just that- lemmings! People are greatly influenced by marketing, posters, point of sale , impulse etc. Supermarkets are full of banners saying "Special Deal" "on offer" "seasonal goods" etc etc etc , the reason being- these work!

How many people nowadays enter a supermarket with a fixed shopping list, and buy exactly whats on that list, nothing more nothing less? Nowadays people's shopping habits are massivly influenced by adverts- otherswise, why have adverts at all? Credit cards mean that people are much more able to buy more than they had perhaps originally planned too.

For sure, some people won't buy fireworks under any circumstances, and likewise some people (enthusiasts) won't be influenced, but many people will certainly buy them on impluse.

Fireworks in many ways are the classic impulse buy- they look attractive, they are fun and exciting- and often the customer is hooked with " Special Deals. "

To be clear, i'm not objecting to people buying and using fireworks, but see the next post below...

Edited by David, 30 November 2007 - 08:49 AM.

[David]

Putting my point slightly differently- Of all the days of the year to designate as "fireworks days" New Years Eve is perhaps the LEAST appropriate, given that the traditional activity is to drink lots of booze.

[icarus]

new year can be good, we normally climb beacon hill by torch light. Even though the park is closed lots of people make their way up to the top. At midnight the glasses are full (complete strangers often sharing their wine) ready for a midnight toast and a few people fire off fireworks. At this moment you turn a very slow 360 turn in every direction across leicestershire derbyshire and notts you can see and hear many fireworks- the whole sky is alive with them linking everyone together in one massive celebration and if theres one thing better than a firework display its a free display!!! even if it only lasts a couple of minutes for this reason i would say fireworks are an important part of new year-- so if you are bored with new year celebrations spend it on top of a high hill or mountain

[David]

That does sound good icarus! Although its probably not a good idea to let off fireworks on Beacon Hill itself - 1875 and all that!