Kitchen Garden Forum

Anyone know when it became OK to have firework parties over a long period?

I remember when I was a child (Oops giving away my age) that we were only allowed fireworks on the 5 November unless it was a Sunday and then it was either the Saturday before or Monday after. Nowadays it must be a nightmare for people afraid of fireworks or those with pets that are frightened.

It also seems that some people are finding plastic debris from fireworks all over their soil as allotment sites tend to be ideal locations for bonfire parties.

Hi GL,

It seems to be getting worse every year doesn't it. Even in our quiet little village it goes on and on.
My poor old dog is absolutely petrified of loud bangs, so I have to spend large amounts of time trying to calm down a quivering mass that's trying to climb the walls

Direct.gov advises that it is illegal to let off fireworks in a public space, unless you are the landowner, also that it is illegal to let them off after 11pm & before 7am except on a limited number of days, until midnight on 5th Nov and until 1am on New years Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year. Big fines can be levied, but I'll bet most Constabularies & Councils will only go for persistent repeat offenders.

So really it is OK on any day but only after 11 pm on the days other than those mentioned.

I suppose this means that it is legal to start letting fireworks off at Halloween and periodically then til New Year as seems to be the case these days. I wonder where all the money comes from to buy them as they are expensive items!

No BEFORE 11 pm except those specified.

glallotments wrote:So really it is OK on any day but only after 11 pm on the days other than those mentioned.

I suppose this means that it is legal to start letting fireworks off at Halloween and periodically then til New Year as seems to be the case these days. I wonder where all the money comes from to buy them as they are expensive items!

Sorry that's really what I meant! Don't know why I put after!!!

I've thought for years that they should be banned except for public displays. But then I'm a miserable old git

Chantal wrote:I've thought for years that they should be banned except for public displays. But then I'm a miserable old git

I am as well then

They seem to be used for all sorts of celebrations these days, weddings and other things. I can comfort and calm our pets, but I expect a lot of wild animals are terrified too in country areas.

glallotments wrote:

Chantal wrote:I've thought for years that they should be banned except for public displays. But then I'm a miserable old git

I am as well then

Can I join the 'miserable old git' club

I think we should ban banning things.

I love fireworks. It seems to me that the spread of fireworks either side of bonfire night has already reduced a lot in the last couple of years. I have no problem with people having their fireworks at the weekend instead of braving the p*****g rain on Friday (as I did !).

It's strange some people saying that fireworks, bonfires etc are getting worse - my OH and I only mentioned the other day how things have quietened down here the last few years. Our local heritage railway, which always had a wonderful fireworks display, have stopped doing it because of H&S concerns, very few private people are now letting off bangers or fireworks, our neighbouring village which used to have a big bonfire no longer do it because not enough people helped to build it (and because of H&S), this year we only had a group of three little boys at the door for Hallowe'en' "trick or treat" and the "mischief night" custom which used to be a great thing for children to do on 4 November has completely disappeared.

What a boring world. I suppose everybody sits at their gogglebox and watches virtual fireworks.