The Epic Fireworks Blog

Archive for the ‘Fireworks Uk’ Category

An angry councillor has written to Bristol City Council’s licensing committee urging them to reject plans to allow a fireworks factory to store more explosives at its site.

Firework and match manufacturer Octavius Hunt has asked the Council to allow it to store more explosives at its factory in Redfield,  even though a report compiled for the hearing features a catalogue of safety and other breaches.

The factory was fined £17,500 for an explosion on site in June 2004, while Avon Fire service has submitted a report following a fire last May, which highlights a a number of shortcomings in the factory’s fire procedures.

A Council officer visited the site last month and noted a number of unresolved operational issues at the factory.

The Health and Safety Inspectorate concluded in a letter dated June 3, 2009 to the Managing Director of the factory “that there had been a history of unintended fires and explosions, the accumulation of waste, failure to follow documented procedure…” and yet they are refusing to make their inspection report available to the committee – forcing the Council to make a Freedom of Information request for it.

Cllr John  Kiely said in a statement: “I doubt you could have made this up, there are a number of very serious questions about the operation of this factory that needs answering.

“This is densely populated area, with older persons bungalows and other residential properties with in yards of this site. Local residents are rightly concerned about having a firework factory, storing explosive material on their doorstep.

“I am also unimpressed with the lack of openness show by HSE’s in making its inspection available to the committee, how can they issue a license when being denied all the facts, on that basis alone I have asked the licensing committee to reject this application.”

Earl Coates, the firm’s quality and health and safety manager, said the increased storage would only be for novelty sparklers and other items such as party poppers.

He said they were the kind of items found on supermarket shelves but because of strict regulations, they were classed as low-grade explosives. He said: “There is no increased risk to the public.”

After the tremendous turnout for the event, some bright spark in Newcastle decided to light the fireworks in broad daylight, tantamount to a crime. Apart from that fiasco the whole event was a real success. Thankfully these turned out to be just the warm up fireworks and the real thing came later, along with a trapeze artist on a heliopshere (just like the Romans would have used).

Over 12 thousand hand selected volunteers were involved in lighting the 500 beacons along the 84 mile-long Wall National Path Trail from Segedunum Roman fort at Wallsend in North Tyneside through Northumberland to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria.

The fireworks were spectacular said many of the spectators and although they feared at several points for the safety of the girl stuck on the bottom of the heliosphere, a good day and night was had by all.

The 4,000 large crowd which gathered at Wallsend witnessed a startling performance by the German Theatre group Apu which climaxed with four winged angels standing atop the site’s observation tower as the first of the beacons was lit, all filmed from above by a camera crew in a helicopter (and you thought there was a recession on) this was all topped off with what can only be described as a fireworks display. As it was a fireworks display.  Of course it would be irresponsible for us here to fail to mention that with 500 large fiery beacons marking the Romans wall that there was more than one “Roman Candle” being lit that night (and the award for the worst joke of the day goes to…).

The event, which captured national attention, was used to bring more awareness of the World Heritage site that marked the Roman Empires most Northerly point. It is worth mentioning here that although the Romans were able to capture most of Europe with ease, they were unable to take Scotland finding the Scottish methods of fighting (using broken buckfast bottles) to scary for them, the wall was built to keep the invading barbarian hordes from the North from invading their empire.

Related article by Moregeous: http://moregeous.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/illuminating-hadrians-wall-blog-carlisle/

Preparations are underway for one of the most exciting fireworks events in the UK, the British Musical Fireworks Championships 2010.

SOME of the countries leading fireworks display experts have visited the town of Southport ahead of one of the most sensation events on the pyro calendar.

The competitors for 2010 includes Flashpoint Fireworks (who return to defend their 2009 title), Pendragon Fireworks, Anytime Fireworks, Pyro 2000, Pyrotex Fireworx, Ashdown Fireworks and Fantastic Fireworks (the 2008 champions).

The seven competitors have met the judges and brushed up on the rules and regulations of the competition. The judges will be as keen as ever and the rules must be strictly adhered to (bribes will not be accepted). There was also a tour of the firing site so the crews could begin making designs and planning for their displays in six months’ time.

To be staged at Kings Gardens between the 1^st and 3^rd October, the annual championships are being held in Southport for the 12th time. Many thousands of spectators are expected to attend the event which illuminates the skies of Southport at the start of October, just in time to whet our appetites for Guy Fawkes Night.

Sarah Carter, the events organiser for Sefton Council said: “Preparations are well under way for this year’s championships so we like to get the competitors in the resort as early as possible to ensure that they have the best opportunity to wow the crowds.

“There are a lot of things to consider when designing large fireworks displays and with Southport being one of the most prestigious events in the country everyone wants to make sure they are on top of their game.”

”Tickets are on sale now and can be bought at The Tourist Information Centre in Southport, Southport Arts Centre or by visiting www.visitsouthport.com. Advance tickets cost £4 on Friday/Sunday and £6 for Saturday. Priority tickets are also available priced at £15 for Friday/Sunday and £20 for Saturday.

BLACKPOOL’S fabulous fireworks competition is set to be rolled into one explosive weekend.

A new format will see this autumn’s popular festival staged three nights in a row rather than over five different weekends.

There is also a new location, with fireworks being set off from the beach between Central and South Piers – rather than from North Pier – where there is space for spectators to gather and enjoy the show.

The pyrotechnic displays, on September 10, 11 and 12 – a week after the Illuminations are switched on – will be billed as a Champion of Champions extravaganza featuring winners from previous festivals.

Previously held over five weekends, the new format now allows tourism businesses in the resort to package the whole weekend.

The aim is not only to bring visitors into town but to persuade them to extend their usual stay for fireworks from a drive-in visit to a bumper weekend of fireworks, Illuminations and attractions, as well as spending money in shops, restaurants and bars.

Coun Maxine Callow, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and tourism, said: “This is set to be a fantastic weekend and offers a great opportunity to take an extended weekend break and enjoy our northern lights as the fireworks and illuminations take centre stage.”

The event will gather together the world’s firework elite and promises a mouth-watering series of shows with jaw-dropping entertainment for all the family. It’s also the weekend that the Tour of Britain is in town – so there’s a whole host of great reasons to visit Blackpool – by day and by night.

Click here for info on the 2009 Blackpool fireworks competition.

The Momentum barrage is another exciting new release for the 2010 season and should certainly raise the pace (get it? cos its called momentum? never mind) for your display this year. The Momentum fan barrage has loud breaks that explode into giant golden palms with red strobes, blue stars, silver stars and golden crackles. This is sure to be e very popular seller this year and we are very keen to get it in store asap. Let us know what you think and leave your comments and questions. Its going to be another great year for fireworks folks! Remember to get your orders in early to avoid disappointement!

Read the review:

Epic Fireworks has certainly got some of the most beautiful fan barrages on the market, Momentum is no exception. This amazingly timed piece of sky art has gorgeous golden red palms that explode with blue stars and falling strands of red and white glitter. Launching 5 shots at a time the spread across the sky is superb. The timing is perfect and this is a great barrage to get ooohs and aaaahs from the crowd.

This is Fresh! Brand new fireworks coming into the UK for 2010. The Venus Sky Trap will soon be on British shores and you can guarantee it will be a very popular one very quickly. With awesome bright colours of red, silver, blue and green and dazzling crackling clouds of gold, silver glitter and huge silver palms, this is a beautiful firework and a great contribution to any display. Just one of the new exciting range of fireworks to expect from Epic this year.

Heres the review:

Here at Epic Fireworks we never stop looking for new and innovative designs in fireworks to impress you and the spectators at your displays.

The Venus Sky Trap is surely one of the most beautiful new fireworks to be launched in 2010. Awesome fanned volleys of huge red peonies come from ascending red stars that turn into slow falling silver strobes. Massive golden palms with blue stars absolutely fill the sky before huge white bouquets erupt and red and green crackling flowers lead to brilliant clouds of golden crackles; magnificent.

Epic Fireworks, the UKs home of fireworks.

We know it is a bit delayed but here are the photos from when lucky competition winner Carol and her pyro-mad husband Brian came down to Epic Fireworks to collect their mountain of free fireworks.

When asked how she felt Carol replied “it feels brilliant”

When Brian was asked how he felt he stuttered “fireworks….free fireworks…loads of free fireworks” while attempting not to drool at the massive pile of fireworks which lay before him. Careful Brian, don’t get those fuses wet!

We were left with the feeling that this lovely couple from the East Coast of Scotland were going to have a brilliant time setting off their hand selected fireworks display.

With sandwiches and coffee (no champagne, Brian had to drive home again) and laughter all round we all posed for some photos around the giant trolley load of fireworks.

Handsome Scottish salesman Graeme was on hand as always to offer free advice on how best to set off the fireworks. He said, “I would use a lighter of some description”, helpful advice indeed. Just kidding of course, portfires and safety goggles are always supplied as standard at Epic Fireworks.

Brian was heard to say “Epic Fireworks are by far and away the best fireworks that I have ever had and I would heartily recommend them to anyone. They certainly leave the competition standing when it comes to performance, price and service. We drive down from Scotland at least twice a year to see the guys and it is always well worth the trip” – Citation needed.

Carol was thrilled to bits with her prize and you could have been too! It’s so easy to enter Epic Fireworks annual fireworks prize draw giveaway bonanza. Simply enter your details online at our website www.epicfireworks.com for your chance to win £4,000 worth of premium rate pyro!!!

We helped Brian to load his (and Carols) fireworks into his van, ready for the long drive home where we know he (and Carol) will have great fun setting them off.

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who entered our free prize draw last year and we are sorry there can only be one winner. But what a lovely winner she was and we thank Carol and Brian for taking the time to come down and visit us and we look forward to seeing them again soon.

MPs were last night accused of ‘insensitivity’ for throwing a private New Year’s Eve party on the Commons river terrace – so they can watch a spectacular end-of the decade fireworks show.

After a year of scandals over their expenses, 340 MPs, peers and their guests are paying £10 a head for an exclusive celebration in the shadow of Big Ben.

As thousands of ordinary revellers in Central London stand shivering in the cold to bring in the New Year, MPs will bid farewell to 2009 by gathering in a marquee across the river from the free London Eye fireworks show.

The MPs, peers and some senior bureaucrats will be served by catering staff with canapes and drinks including champagne.

Professional party organisers said the market rate for a ticket to such a unique event would be closer to £100 a head.

The ‘Noughtie MPs’ bash, approved by Commons Speaker John Bercow, has sparked anger among parliamentary officials, secretaries and manual workers, who have been banned from the terrace on New Year’s Eve –one of their few annual perks – to make way for the partying politicians.

‘They’ll be lucky if the whole bill for the evening is under £3,000,’ said one official. ‘After all their antics this year, having a knees-up like this is the height of insensitivity-You’d think they’d be keeping their heads down.’

Mr Bercow says the party will raise money for charity, but one member of the Commons staff said: ‘If they want to give money to charity they can write a cheque out for ten quid any time they like.’

Traditionally, MPs are back in their constituencies by December 31.

Suspicions about an event for them were aroused last week after staff were sent a memo by Serjeantat-Arms Jill Pay banning them from entering the building from 6pm on New Year’s Eve.

The memo said access would be ‘restricted to Members of both Houses, their escorted guests and duty staff only’.

Then invitations were seen that declared: ‘The Pavilion will open from 10pm until

12.30am, providing Members and their guests with an excellent view of the public fireworks display over the Thames whilst they welcome in the New Year.’

A spokesman for Mr Bercow says the event will make a £2,000 profit, after staff costs, for Help A London Child. MPs would get one drink in the ticket price and then pay normal ‘ commercial’ prices for bottled beer, wine and champagne – not the taxpayer-subsidised rates they usually paid.

But Commons insiders disputed the figures.

They claimed the cost of 15 staff paid £16 an hour doublerate overtime for up to six hours each would be over £1,400. In addition, they have been promised taxis home for up to £30 – a total of £450.

Mr Bercow’s spokesman last night said the party would raise money for a good cause. Click here for the full story.

Tickets for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2010; the greatest celebration of New Year in the world, are ON-SALE NOW! Details of this year’s Edinburgh Hogmanay programme are now available and it is one of the biggest ever with five days of spectacular concerts, events and fireworks. The Torchlight Procession starts proceedings on the 29th December and leads us into a host of new events from the Night Afore – Light Night to re:formation day on New Year’s Day, dance spectacular Off Kilter and Firelight with Carabosse are events not to be missed, transforming the Royal Mile into a hub of fire and light, and not forgetting an incredible music line-up including Madness, The Enemy, MYLO, Calvin Harris, Noisettes, Codeine Velvet Club and Frightened Rabbit plus loads more…

Tickets can be obtained on the Buy Tickets page, or by calling 0844 894 2010.