Remember, remember..........

[J.R.]

............ the 5th. of November.

Tonight has had to have been the quietest EVER bonfire night.

3 rockets and that was it.

Mind you - having seen the price of fireworks this year, I'm hardly surprised !

[Katharine]

You had 3 more than we did!!!

[Angela Woodford]

Not one firework here in Devon, either.

Back in Kent it could get quite scary! Overflowing A&E departments...

Mind you, I was momentarily tempted to get a packet of sparklers!

[jhopgood]

Is it Health and Safety or lack of interest that has provided the damp squid?
The local version of H&S over here has tried to regulate the sale of fireworks, but it is a way of life, so there have been umpteen protests.

[Fjgrogan]

Perhaps the financial situation? People just don't have money to waste sending it up (literally) in smoke?

[Jo]

I think it's a combination of having fireworks at lots of other times during the year these days, plus people make more of Halloween these days and Bonfire Night follows on too quickly afterwards.

I think it's a shame. Trick or treating is an American import which has only been picked up over here because kids get something out of it. Bonfire Night is an old British tradition that ought not to be allowed to die away.

[anniexf]

[quote="jhopgood"]Is it Health and Safety or lack of interest that has provided the damp squid?

...sounds a bit fishy to me...

[kerrensimmonds]

We had an hour or so of pops, bangs and whizzes but there have been odd fireworks going off here and there for several weeks, since they went on sale just inside the front door of Sainsburys, The organised bonfires/fireworks are on Saturday so I expect that night will be quite noisy.

[CHAZ]

My mother who lives in lewes revealed that it was another gret bonfire night there though she dared not venture out feeling somewhat clausto with the 60 000 or so people present.

[Jo]

I'd never heard of the Lewes bonfire activities until I met my partner, who grew up in the area. He took me 3-4 years ago to see their bonfire parade..... they're all mad .

There are at least five bonfire societies that are almost like social clubs and spend months planning their costumes and themes. And they burn an effigy of the pope - though as they are keen to emphasise, it's not the current pope, it's the one at the time of the Gunpowder Plot. There is precious little attention to health and safety, which might be a good thing in some people's eyes but I rather disliked having bangers dropped at my feet by passing paraders. But an.....interesting.....experience!

[J.R.]

I've never 'done' the Lewes celebrations.

Brockham, a village between Dorking and Reigate have a massive 'do' every year.

This year, both Leatherhead and Dorking have cancelled their annual bonfire night displays due to 'lack of sponsorship' !

Incidently, one should look closely at the Religious implications of Guy Fawkes night. (Or should that be Guido Fawke's night ?)

[kerrensimmonds]

I don't understand why, but tonight - Friday 6th November - it's been total mayhem outside for the last two hours. Fireworks galore. My dog is so fearful that I can't shift her from my legs, wherever I am, and even the cats are spooked, which I have not previously observed. And the local big organised displays are tomorrow. AArrggh!

[gma]

Brockham, a village between Dorking and Reigate have a massive 'do' every year.

We did this a couple of years ago and it was fantastic!! That accolade is quite some achievement for a firework freak like me!! Also done the Sardine Festival in Canaries and a ton of randm events in Hong Kong. Just as happily tho, off tonight all boots and fur hats to a local one!!

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

I don't wish to be a Spoil-sport but------- since I was in the business of explosive devices and the like, I realise the dangers, which are inherent.

I love Firework Displays, when carried ou professionally, with due consideration for Safety (And sometimes--- even then --!)
But small boys holding Roman Candles, Bangers thrown at cars or people etc. makes me sad, rather than angry.

Note the tradgedy of the Woman burned to death, because a firework was pushed through her letterbox ----- I expect the Culprit, if caught, will get a Community Service Order ---- which he (Or she) will ignore !!!

I think I have already told the story of the Yobs who were rounded up and put in a Patrol Car, taken 7 miles to the Police Station, where the Desk Sergeant was very very busy, with other things ---- until the last bus had gone !!!!
He then "Warned " them --- and they had to walk home !! It cured the "Problem" --- but that was in a village.

[J.R.]

I think I have already told the story of the Yobs who were rounded up and put in a Patrol Car, taken 7 miles to the Police Station, where the Desk Sergeant was very very busy, with other things ---- until the last bus had gone !!!!
He then "Warned " them --- and they had to walk home !! It cured the "Problem" --- but that was in a village.

Arr - The GOOD old days !!

Not one firework here last night, (Friday)

It's Brockham night tonight, which we can hear from here and we're some 3 miles away !