Fireworks

[The Stationmaster]

21.00 eh. You were lucky mate.

Phil

 

Definitely - some halfwit here just started setting some off at 22.35 (or maybe there was shootout going on somewhere near?).

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Don't want to be argumentative but, water, gas and electricity are quite important, however fireworks are not really so necessary are they (except for emergency Maroons)?

 Fireworks certainly are not necessities, for most. But they are popular. And prohibition of something popular is one of those things that so often turns round and bites. Fireworks manufactured in licenced facilities and used as directed are relatively safe. Remove legal supply and 'someones' will act to supply from who knows what source, and there will be accidents in consequence.

 

Besides which, there are ample legal powers to act on antisocial use. Those complaining need to make their views known to their police and crime commissioner. I'd cheerfully advocate for armed response units as appropriate for dealing with firework related misbehaviour. I believe in offering as much freedom as possible, including the opportunity of taking the consequences.

[tamperman36]

You have a point about the use of fire arms officers as fireworks do have the potential to be used like firearms, and it would soon make these idiots look at there behaviour.

[rob D2]

Let's ban everything eh ?

 

So you ban fireworks , people will make their own.

[laurenceb]

21.00 eh. You were lucky mate.

Phil

There were still being let off later but the artillery barrage had died down. was supised how few (comparatively) were let off tonight

[chris p bacon]

I like fireworks and go to the local Scout group organised display (along with 2000 others). The thing that bugs me is not the Yoofs with bangers but those that should know better. For instance last night we had a display that must have cost in excess of £500 judging by the intensity and size of the display and the length of time it went on for. Although you could say that all around benefitted from not paying for such a good display setting the thing off at midnight right smack bang in the middle of town on a Sunday night is not a really smart thing to do.

 

I'm not in favour of a ban but I do think the sales should be restricted to those over 21 and some basic information given about where they are to be used (birthday/event). I don't think that they should be sold from supermarkets or corner shops as they are now.

[The Stationmaster]

I like fireworks and go to the local Scout group organised display (along with 2000 others). The thing that bugs me is not the Yoofs with bangers but those that should know better. For instance last night we had a display that must have cost in excess of £500 judging by the intensity and size of the display and the length of time it went on for. Although you could say that all around benefitted from not paying for such a good display setting the thing off at midnight right smack bang in the middle of town on a Sunday night is not a really smart thing to do.

 

I'm not in favour of a ban but I do think the sales should be restricted to those over 21 and some basic information given about where they are to be used (birthday/event). I don't think that they should be sold from supermarkets or corner shops as they are now.

 

Judging by some of what I saw on Saturday evening maybe that should read 'those over 65'?  My reason for saying that is that it is clear that some very large fireworks were being set off in some pretty small gardens - quite likely because nowadays the only fireworks you see in shops happen to be large ones.

 

When I was a lad we had a bonfire party every 5 November, my dad built and controlled the bonfire and set off all the fireworks (until I reached mid teen years) with carefully arranged sites for launching rockets, a sturdy post for catherine wheels and so on - and a  bucket of water handy just in case of any misfires or problems with the bonfire.  On Saturday I saw two gardens where large fireworks were being set off under trees and in two cases remnants were falling on the nearby road and pavement.  You need to be a lot more mature than many folk to avoid doing stupid things like that.

[Mallard60022]

No personal 'near misses' this year so far thank goodness, however there are a lot of spent rocket remains lying around the estate but nothing like the Saturn 5 from last year. AFAIK no local cars were damaged either so that is good. Quite a lot of 'chatter locally' on Farce brook regarding noise and late disturbance and, of course, frightened pets. However, touch wood, it does seem to have been a lot quieter around here this year and no nonsense locally. Thursday's local paper might tell me more though as often there are reports of deliberate fires being started, especially farmers' straw stacks. Then there is the story of drunks spoiling village bonfire party fun by being antisocial; such is small town North Notts. The world goes bonkers and we worry about a few antisocial drunks........hey ho.

I meant to say that in case I am considered as always moaning, at midnight just after the last second of 1999, I was standing on the Footbridge at Sanderstead Station, with a great view over towards London and the sight was truly amazing and the noise...............................wow!

Phil 

[tamperman36]

I see this morning a news report ( Evening Standard)  about a lit firework being thrown into a busy train coach in London resulting in mass panic and people and families trying to escape the confined space in which the firework was going off.

As it was on a station it is possible that who ever did it may have been on CCTV so it may be possible they could be caught, if so they will just get a slapped wrist, however they should be charged with at least Recklass endangerment.

[The Stationmaster]

I see this morning a news report about alit firework being thrown into a busy train coach in London resulting in mass panic and people and families trying to escape the confined space in which the firework was going off.

As it was on a station it is possible that who ever did it may have been on CCTV so it may be possible they could be caught, if so they will just get a slapped wrist, however they should be charged with at least Recklass endangerment.

 

The best charge, assuming a conviction can be achieved, is Endangering Safety on the Railway - the maximum punishment on conviction is Life Imprisonment.

[Reorte]

There seem to be more and more rules and bans but still no fewer idiots around. Whilst sadly it might come to a ban it's the underlying lack of any sense of responsibility (and consequences) for too many that's the real problem. Is it just the case of the older you get the grumpier you get (but I'm only 40), or are people really getting worse? Anyway that's the real issue, and one that probably needs instilling as a basic instinct at early primary school age. Even then you'll still have some fools, but at what point is tolerating them more objectionable than reshaping the world to deal with them?

 

Have to say that I'm glad there weren't any fireworks that close to me though.

[Fat Controller]

I see this morning a news report about alit firework being thrown into a busy train coach in London resulting in mass panic and people and families trying to escape the confined space in which the firework was going off.

As it was on a station it is possible that who ever did it may have been on CCTV so it may be possible they could be caught, if so they will just get a slapped wrist, however they should be charged with at least Recklass endangerment.

I don't suppose you could post a link, could you? Thanks.

[Mallard60022]

There seem to be more and more rules and bans but still no fewer idiots around. Whilst sadly it might come to a ban it's the underlying lack of any sense of responsibility (and consequences) for too many that's the real problem. Is it just the case of the older you get the grumpier you get (but I'm only 40), or are people really getting worse? Anyway that's the real issue, and one that probably needs instilling as a basic instinct at early primary school age. Even then you'll still have some fools, but at what point is tolerating them more objectionable than reshaping the world to deal with them?

 

Have to say that I'm glad there weren't any fireworks that close to me though.

First bold.......interesting question. I suspect that more people get away with things these days as I for one am reluctant to confront anyone 'being antisocial' having had very bad experiences from doing that in the past and I suspect many others are of the same mind? 

Second bold.......worth discussing in a whole new thread as it would be fascinating to hear from those that are actually involved in the development and/or management of behaviours.

Social responsibility.....a whole new can of worms there as well.

Sadly I would now rather build a plastic wagon kit than get involved in social engineering.

Phil

[34theletterbetweenB&D]

Human nature is pretty much constant, societally we corporately oscillate around a mean line of acceptable behaviour, between excessive licence and the smack! of firm discipline. Live long enough and you might see all under 30s seen but not heard, transportation to the moon without appeal for criminal acts, and floggings for failing to pick up dog exhausts. (Alternative tables of offences and corresponding punitive schemes are available.)

[bike2steam]

Saturday evening was spent in West Lulworth. As there is a large percentage of houses in that village that have thatch roofs, the letting off of fireworks is banned by the Purbeck District Council. But as, again, a large percentage are holiday homes, there were quite a few fireworks going off, as the evening came to an end the council official came in the pub, I asked him 'busy evening', his reply was - 'bloody grockles'.     

[Guest]

Mentioned this to my Dad this morning. His words, not mine.

 

"What this country needs is a bloody good war. Get all these layabout no-gooders off the streets and give them a bit of discipline and a sense of responsibility. If they're lucky enough to come back alive, they'll be a decent human being, not an idiot".

 

Fair enough...

[Reorte]

Human nature is pretty much constant, societally we corporately oscillate around a mean line of acceptable behaviour, between excessive licence and the smack! of firm discipline.

Social attitudes can sometimes change (both for better and for worse), thus giving different societies even without that. For example drink-driving is at much lower levels than it once was, and not just because of the penalties for being caught doing so but because enough of society regards it as unacceptable. Human nature remains the same but, to an extent, how it views things can change.

[Judge Dread]

Mentioned this to my Dad this morning. His words, not mine.

 

"What this country needs is a bloody good war. Get all these layabout no-gooders off the streets and give them a bit of discipline and a sense of responsibility. If they're lucky enough to come back alive, they'll be a decent human being, not an idiot".

 

Fair enough...

My now late father used to say that it was the biggest error ever made doing away with National Service. Incidentally we had fireworks at 2.00am and again at 8.00am on Sunday morning around here.  

[bescotbeast]

My Wife has been on the Greyhound site, and many dogs, all breads and some Horses have been KILLED due to Fireworks let off and scaring animals, Horses running into Barb Wire fences, Dogs in Wales running off on a beach in daylight after someone let off Rockets IN DAYLIGHT but the Bang scares them to death.

 

We are off to Snowdonia tomorrow for 10 days to try and get away from them, they have been going off around here almost every night for the last 3 weeks.

 and scaring our Greyhound.

 

BAN THEM apart from organised displays

 

EDIT = 18.46 AND THEY'VE JUST STARTED AGAIN

You have my sympathies Andy, the elder of our two dogs hates them and barks non-stop, we have to resort to pulling the blinds, putting on the telly/radio loud and hoping these block out the sounds and flashes.

I'm 43 but do remember our local street having it's own Bonfire which I helped to build, families with Children would turn up and share the experience as well as toffee apples and baked potatoes etc. My dad would have to go down to our local newsagents to obtain them and they would be kept in an old biscuit tin on top of a cupboard, out of mine and my brothers inquisitive reach.

Now it seems to be a free for all with no real significance to the date of November the 5th or a time limit in the evening when they are let off, I'e gone from enjoying them as a child to detesting the bloody things.

Simon

[rob D2]

Nostalgia ain't what it used to be ....

 

School trips to France... Buying flick knives , pornographic playing cards and the best bangers ever...

 

In the cadets we blew a lot of stuff up, so I'm probably not the best to comment . We had a fair few lads arrested for carrying fireworks/ replica weapons etc on night exercises.

 

Good fun , but we still had responsibility not to be antisocial with our kit - ie we only tried to blow up each other... And Wycombe squadron ... We hated them

[newbryford]

. Incidentally we had fireworks at 2.00am and again at 8.00am on Sunday morning around here.  

 

So it was you letting them off at 2am..................... (and 8am)

 

 

Cheers,

Mick

[Horsetan]

... we still had responsibility not to be antisocial with our kit - ie we only tried to blow up each other... And Wycombe squadron ... We hated them

*seductive female voiceover*

 

"This isn't just a feud. This... is M&S feud."

[peanuts]

 Fireworks certainly are not necessities, for most. But they are popular. And prohibition of something popular is one of those things that so often turns round and bites. Fireworks manufactured in licenced facilities and used as directed are relatively safe. Remove legal supply and 'someones' will act to supply from who knows what source, and there will be accidents in consequence.

 

Besides which, there are ample legal powers to act on antisocial use. Those complaining need to make their views known to their police and crime commissioner. I'd cheerfully advocate for armed response units as appropriate for dealing with firework related misbehaviour. I believe in offering as much freedom as possible, including the opportunity of taking the consequences.

Re legal powers can remember during my younger days being told by a police officer that it was an offence to light fireworks within fifteen yards of a highway or publicfootpath/right or way something to do with not startling horses 

[skipepsi]

Mentioned this to my Dad this morning. His words, not mine.

 

"What this country needs is a bloody good war. Get all these layabout no-gooders off the streets and give them a bit of discipline and a sense of responsibility. If they're lucky enough to come back alive, they'll be a decent human being, not an idiot".

 

Fair enough...

There is no such thing as a bloody good war, bloody war but never good.

[Ozexpatriate]

There's this foolishness from a couple of years ago in Chicago.

The action starts at about 40 seconds - well after the Police car cleared the area. There's probably bad language too. (I wasn't listening for it.)

Many comparisons have been made about this looking like something from a Harry Potter movie. You can find them on YouTube.

I'm sure it was fun, but ...

 

EDIT: Then there's the cautionary tale of NY Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, a high-profile professional NFL player who badly damaged his hand on the 4^th of July 2015 - seriously impacting his career. He is playing in the 2016 season but only after multiple surgeries and special gloves for his injured hand.  There's all kinds of gory stuff on the internet about JPP's hand injury.