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Once upon a time - long, long ago - there were no fireworks to celebrate a New Year. Then along came Mr Tony and his 'familiar', Peter. They wanted something cheerful, to celebrate - 'The Millennium'. Something memorable, something spectacular. Something cheapish.
The only thing they could think of was a Firework Display. Others, all over the country, thought, "What a good idea!" and decided they would have a Firework Display of their own. Typical of Mr Tony, though, he hadn't thought his plan all the way through.
It was the minutest of finger-boosts to the 'economy' and the national spirit but, unfortunately, didn't end there. The closet pyromaniacs took to the idea, with enthusiasm, until the sound of industrial strength fireworks could be heard - almost - all year round.
Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes celebrations can, now, be heard as early as August/September and go on, into December. There may be a slight lull until New Year - unless some clown has the impulse to disrupt 'Silent Night, Holy Night' with a few bangs at midnight.
Birthday parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, you name it - although, I don't think anyone has got round to funerals, yet - and out come the pyrotechnics.
Am I, simply, being curmudgeonly on this thread? Perhaps, but there is another side to Firework Displays.
Am I, simply, being curmudgeonly on this thread? Perhaps, but there is another side to Firework Displays.
There are people living in the UK, who are terrified of loud, sudden bangs. Children with autism, for instance. Adults with autism. Ex-Service men and women, suffering from PTSD. These last, are wheeled out on a regular basis, when there's a bit of flag-waving to be done.
Then wheeled back in, again, and forgotten about - until the next time. At least they're noticed, unlike the ex-Service Homeless - but that's another story.
So, what can be done about it? Not very much, apparently. Petitions can be signed, letters can be written, we can appeal to the pyromaniacs' better nature. None seems to have been very effective, sadly. As far as I can gather, fireworks will remain on general sale.
Light touch regulation seems to be the preference. Helps to keep the 'economy' ticking over and, as we know, it needs all the help it can get, at the moment. No plans for stricter rules on the sale of fireworks. No plans for controlled - community - firework displays.
No plans to restrict the noise, from fireworks. Fewer *bangs*, more sparklers.
I wonder if Mr Tony and 'Peter' would be worth consulting, on this vexatious subject. No, no money in that idea. We need people with empathy to come up with a solution.
I wonder if Mr Tony and 'Peter' would be worth consulting, on this vexatious subject. No, no money in that idea. We need people with empathy to come up with a solution.
Oh, and of course, our pets - furred or feathered - have no understanding what those loud sudden bangs are all about.
Anyone who has tried to comfort a shaking pet, will understand that.
Anyone who has tried to comfort a shaking pet, will understand that.
