Comments - October to December 2004
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December 31st 2004

What new UK laws?

It's like a world war outside my house tonight. In fact it's not midnight of the 31st now but 3.30 in the morning of the 1st Jan. Has anybody taken notice of the supposed law of 11pm stop time for fireworks?
I notice that your rather excellent website moto is "Tired of dumbing down? ... then evolve!" Well, the dumbing-down continues amongst the British public and there's certainly no sign of them "evolving"!

K.S. London, UK

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November 17th 2004

With reference to your “Ban the Bang” campaign.
I have been concerned with the effects of excessively loud fireworks have upon local wildlife – birds in particular- for some time. I have read all your contributor’s stories relating to the suffering endured by creatures and realise that you are building-up a grim picture indeed.
I would like to think that you could compile a dossier which could be submitted to the RSPB as they are taking a passive role in this argument and are saying that no evidence exists that wild birds suffer as a result of firework noise.
I and many others know that suffering does occur and it may do some good for the cause if this evidence could be sent to them.
I hope you can use this suggestion and thank you for your time.

Yours faithfully,

K. D, UK

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November 13th 2004

Fireworks have become like gunfire and rifle fire. I am terrified and so are my dogs and cats. Every night in east London it is the same thing. I am sick to death of it. Visual dispalys are fine, but please ban the bang!!

P.F. London, UK

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*** Star Comment - November 7th 2004

I am well into almost everything you say on your site about "Ban the Bang" but that aside I wish to relate a story to you and follow it up with 3 pictures. Last night (Sat 6th) was a particularly noisy firework night, (our neighbour decided to give it his all for 2 hours).
But first a bit of history. Over the last 2 months we had noticed things going on in our garden and we discovered to our joy we had a badger visiting. Of course, we encouraged it, leaving food out and turning off the security lighting when we knew it was due.
Then came last night.
It was like World War 3 was starting up - and if aerial bombs and screamers are now illegal our neighbour should be doing 5-10 years. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I attach pics of what I woke up to. I can only surmise that the badger was visiting when it all kicked off, and in a panic it ran into an overgrown disused pond we have. The rest, as they say, is history.
Coincidentally it did know it was a pond as it has drunk from there in the past, so i can only put it down to blind panic.

S.L. UK.

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*** Star Comment - November 6th 2004

What I positively don't understand is why the government don't simply outlaw noisy fireworks.
Okay, so you'd still get a problem with imports on the black market, but that could be dealt with too if the willpower was there.
Quiet (and low noise) fireworks *DO* exist. Do a quick search on the Internet and you'll come up with a good number of hits.
So why isn't this implemented? I mean, it's not rocket science ........... (pun intended). :)
I know, some people will argue that the explosion of the rocket is part of the 'punctuation' of the display, but to that I say tough luck - just enjoy the display for what it *looks like*, not how it sounds.
A little selflessness wouldn't go amiss either - just think of all the people and wildlife who are suffering from hearing the explosions. Think of the stress caused. Etc.
Seems like a good solution to me - everyone is then happy. So simple and it should be easy to implement.

P.M. Carmarthen, Wales

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November 2nd 2004

USEFUL THERAPEUTIC TIP TO HELP YOUR ANIMALS AND YOURSELF THROUGH FIREWORK ACTIVITIES

Why is it sensible to sell explosives to the public?!
I am a qualified Flower Essence Therapist and would like to recommend the following to help nervous animals and people:
Kali Phos, tissue salts and / or Mimulus flower essence - or if person is frozen in fear "Rescue remedy" flower essence.
This is available from most pharmacies and health food shops. All the above can be given frequently with no side affects to animals or people.
Try to give before expected fears as well as during and afterwards. Every 15 minutes is good.
Flower essences can be put in mouth, diluted in water (babies bottles) or for very small animals a few drops on head.
I still want a total ban.

W.H. Richmond, UK

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October 20th 2004

URGENT REQUEST FOR SUPPORT IN THE CIRENCESTER AREA IN THE UK

FIREWORK DISPLAYS KILLING AND INJURING ANIMALS
I live in Coates, Gloucestershire which is a small Cotswold village, just outside Cirencester.
Two days ago a hand delivered letter was distributed to all villagers.
The gist of this is that the Cirencester Round Table, which last year held its annual firework display within 50 yards of a bird sanctuary, resulting in the death and injury to wildlife, has now moved its firework display to a field directly outside my house (and a number of other homes).
Crowds in excess of 5000 are expected and the firework display is on a grand scale.
There was no consultation involved and we have just been presented with this event as a fait accompli.
I have two dogs, both of whom are terrified of fireworks. In addition to this the area we live in is primarily agricultural so there are cows in the next field, horses and sheep in close proximity, and in addition it is not uncommon for households to keep chickens and so on.
Most people in the village have dogs.
Quite apart from this, Coates is a tiny place which is only served by narrow country lanes and there is no parking etc available for an influx of people on this scale. I have complained to the Cotswold District Council Environment Health Office and my local councillor who I'm afraid is useless. I have also lodged complaints with the RSPCA. However I fear that I might not be able to get any common sense to prevail: the attitude so far seems to be that since the owner of the field (the Bathhurst Estate) has given permission nothing can be done.
I have no way of escaping this horrible intrusion and given that this firework display is on such a large scale I will have to leave my home to ensure that my animals are safe.
Cirencester Round Table are completely impervious and could not care less - after all they went ahead last year despite protests from the wardens of the wild life sanctuary.
I am going to try and canvas opinion in the village and see if I can maybe start a petition against this. However given the apathy of people generally, I don't know how wise it is to think that this will be able to stop the fireworks, especially at this late stage.
I am feeling a bit tired and dispirited at the official reactions I have received.

M.C. Coates, Gloucestershire, UK

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October 11 2004

(In the UK new firework laws come into affect midnight 10th October)

What new law????
It is late Sunday afternoon and huge firework explosions set of by kids here in North London are as rampant as ever. It's now supposed to be illegal for under 18's to carry fireworks. How on earth is that going to be policed? Is every youth on the street going to be searched? Just like drugs, alcohol or smoking, youths will let off fireworks in situations where they are least likely to get caught. And secondly, when fireworks are lit there's plenty of time to flee the scene. This new law is a farce! Just ban all unsociable fireworks ... it's that simple!

H.K. London UK

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October 2004

NOTE: More Comments for UK firework period will be added during early November 2004.

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