Welcome to the pages of the UK Pyrotechnics Society, the only independent UK organisation that exists to represent the heritage, science, history and art of pyrotechnics in the United Kingdom.
The society was officially formed in 2006, and consists of industry professionals, academics, and enthusiasts of the general public. We are not a trade association, but represent the interests of a very wide ranging, vibrant membership. We invite you to browse our pages and perhaps even consider joining our organisation.
Advertising Feature: Firework Crazy
Our forthcoming visit to Kimbolton Fireworks has been confirmed for the afternoon of Friday the 19th of June. We would be pleased for you to join us for what promises to be an enjoyable day.
The Spring 2009 issue (number 4) of the society newsletter, Spark, has been published and distributed to all current UKPS members. In this issue you can look forward to:
Receiving a copy of Spark is just one of the benefits of membership of the UKPS. If you aren’t a member, why not consider joining us today?
The UK Pyrotechnics Society held its third Annual General Meeting in Streatham, South London on Saturday. The day was a total success with a record turnout! Over 27 people attended and there were a number of interesting talks and demonstrations to augment the typical business of the day. Chairman Richard Harwood started by setting out the society’s plans for the year ahead, and how the organisation intends to develop and work with other organisations in the future.
Phil Dunford provided a slideshow talk of firework labels and effects of days gone by. Phill Cooper gave a demonstration of star rolling principles and technique, and Richard talked about his recent visit to Liuyang, China.
Stephen Miller M.I.Exp.E. of Live Action FX Limited presented a very informative and entertaining talk about a particular special effects project that involved explosively demolishing an Indian Temple for a film. The AGM was brought to a close with a professionally fired fireworks display featuring traditional English setpieces.
The UKPS kindly thanks Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham for hosting our AGM. A special thanks is due to all those who attended or helped in any capacity to organise the event. A copy of the opening presentation will be made available online shortly.
Friday 19th June 2009. Kimbolton Workshops, Near Kimbolton, Huntingdon, Cambs.
The society is very pleased to announce that we have organised a guided tour of the renowned Kimbolton Fireworks, hosted by the Revd Ron Lancaster MBE. The Kimbolton workshops are host to the largest remaining manufacturer of display fireworks in the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1964, and has gone on to stage many prestigious displays at both home and abroad. The UK Pyrotechnics Society last organised a visit to the workshops in 2006 and it was a most enjoyable day for all concerned. The guided tour will be hosted by Ron Lancaster who of course needs no introduction. Author of the biblical Fireworks, Principles and Practice, Ron has spent a lifetime working in the British fireworks industry, from beginnings at Standard Fireworks of Huddersfield to establishing the workshops at Kimbolton.
Both members and non-members would be very welcome to join us for the tour and quite possibly a few anecdotes and an impromptu demonstration or two along the way. Why not bring along a copy of your book and have it signed by the Master Blaster Pastor as he has become to be affectionately known!
As is customary with UKPS outings, it is highly likely that we will retire to the nearby New Sun Inn located in the village for post-tour refreshments and sustenance. If you would like to come along then please register your interest in attending this event, and contact us so we have an idea of expected numbers. Places will be limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. UKPS members will have priority, so if we’ve yet to tempt you to join, now is a great time.
Renewing your UKPS membership is easy. Reminders are currently being sent out. If you need to renew your membership, then follow the simple instructions below. We have numerous events and activities planned this year, and we’d love your support!
Saturday 1st August 2009, Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, Leicestershire
The UK Pyrotechnics Society is pleased to announce that we are staging an exhibition and social at the Firework Champions event being held at Stanford Hall. Now firmly established as one of the country’s leading fireworks events, Firework Champions sees 3 professional display teams compete. The audience vote for their favourite show by SMS, and the evening is rounded off by a spectacular display by MLE Pyrotechnics Limited.
The UKPS will be attending with our inaugural event gazebo. We shall be staging a small exhibition of fireworks past, present, and future. Members, non-members, and the general public are all welcome to come and talk to us about the science, history, and art of pyrotechnics. Our gazebo will be clearly marked with our society livery and we intend to add an audio-visual element to the exhibition to make it as interesting and hands-on as possible.
The event will be a fantastic opportunity for firework enthusiasts new and old to wonder over and talk all things fireworks! The beautiful surroundings of Stanford Hall, the spectacular pyromusical displays, and some good company are certain to ensure a good day is had by all!
UKPS members will enjoy a discount off the ticket price and will be given a guided tour of the firing area to whet the appetite!
Event Information:
Where: Stanford Hall
When: Saturday 1st August 2009
Tickets: Buy Online (UKPS Members – Contact us for your discount)
The Event Program
Food and Drink: Join us and bring a picnic or grab something to eat from a selection of on-site catering.
Do you have any interesting items we could use in the exhibition? We’d love to hear from you!
The society is currently in the process of transitioning to our new membership secretary. It will soon be possible to join the society online. In the meantime please post all new snail-mail applications and membership correspondence to our new address:
UKPS Membership Secretary
41 Kelmscott Road
London
SW11 6QX
Don’t worry if you have posted your application to the old address. It will still reach us.
Saturday 21st March, Bishop Thomas Grant School, Streatham, South London
Our third AGM is scheduled to take place in London on Saturday 21st March. The venue is the conference suite of Bishop Thomas Grant School in Streatham, South London. We are keen to hold the meeting further south this time to benefit members who have previously been unable to attend. We hope to see faces both new and regular. We are planning talks, films and a small fireworks display in order to make the meeting an enjoyable day.
AGM Schedule (subject to minor alterations and timing changes):
Start 14:00 – Introductions and coffee
14:30 – Main Business
15:30 – Refreshments
16:00 – Talk – Richard’s trip to China
16:15 – Talk/demo – Phil Dunford – Recreating old fireworks
16:30 – Talk – Stephen Miller (Live Action FX Limited)
17:00 – A selection of display footage and films
18:00 – Short coffee break
18:45 – Fireworks display
19:00 – Drinks and food at the Pub. (Bring some money!)
Please contact us to confirm your attendance or should you have any questions or queries.
Venue & Directions: Bishop Thomas Grant School
Everyone is welcome, both UKPS members and non-members. By attending the AGM you will be actively shaping the direction the society will be taking over the next year. Don’t miss your opportunity to get involved.
We look forward to meeting you.
Issue 3 of the society’s official newsletter Spark has just been published for Autumn and will be hitting your doormat if you are a member. Join us today to get your copy.
In this edition:
The society is forming an exhibition committee to manage the society’s public outreach and promotion strategy to the general public. The new committee will organise stands at large public events to both promote and inform the general public on all aspects of pyrotechnics.
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.
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