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The future of Whangarei’s popular Guy Fawkes fireworks display is up in the air as organisers hunt for a suitable venue.

The Lions Club of Whangarei has been putting on the annual early November fireworks display for 15 years at Okara Park.

But last year’s event had to be moved as the park was being upgraded.

It was then cancelled after the alternative venue – Tikipunga Sports Domain – was deemed unsuitable because   dozens of horses were nearby.

Now the new Northland Events Centre stadium’s plastic roof makes it an unsuitable spot for the display.

Lions Club of Whangarei president Malcolm Hawthorn said after last year’s “disaster” the club had wanted to gauge public support for whether the event should continue, and if so where it should be held.

Mr Hawthorn said the fireworks spectacular was among the longest and best pyrotechnic shows in the country, but the rules  stipulate that when you shoot rockets from 15cm mortars they have to be well away from  people and buildings.

“Following last year’s disaster we have now identified that there are no alternative public spaces that meet the fire zone and public setback regulations,” Mr Hawthorn said.

“The future development of Pohe Island/William Fraser Memorial Park is the only public space with the required areas available for this activity in the future. It is ideal, being close to our old Okara site, meaning it does not have any livestock or horse issues  if the event was held on the city periphery.”

He said Okara Park was no longer suitable, despite its $18.5million upgrade into a multievents centre, as there were two main impediments.

“Firstly it’s [the new stadium] got a plastic roof and we can’t risk the roof. Secondly the [neighbouring] Old Boys ground has been sold to Hill Construction for development,” Mr Hawthorn said.

“We used to fire our big shells from the Old Boys ground and that development will affect those setback rules.”

The event took a lot of organising and raised more than $20,000 for charity, but before Lions committed to continuing it wanted to find out what the public thought.

The club had talked about putting on a free show, including possibly setting off the fireworks from a barge on Hatea River, and calling for donations, but that carried too much risk for the club.

Barge Park was also not an option because of nearby bush, while Port Nikau had also been looked at, but that would only be for four or five years maximum.

Mr Hawthorn said if the public wanted the event to continue, and backed Pohe Island as the spot, the club would approach the Whangarei District Council for permission.

“If they wanted Pohe Island we’d have to ask the council be careful not to obscure too many sight lines, and block the views of the fireworks, when they redevelop the park,” he said.

“But we need to know what the public wants first.”

Click here for the original article.

Call it what you will, the best night in the UK calander has arrived.

Bonfire Night is traditionally to celebrate the failure (or more likely the attempt) of the the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators had a dastardly plan to blow up parliament, the King and all the hangers on.

Guy was captured and tortured and finally executed along with his buddies, and the King and all of the government survived to li(v)e another day.

So, how do we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in the UK?       With fireworks of course!!

Picture of Guy Fawkes

The man himself Guy Fawkes would be proud I am sure of how well he is remembered today.

Here at Epic Fireworks we love Guy Fawkes Night and Bonfires and any excuse to set off fireworks.

Have a safe and happy night and enjoy your fireworks wherever you are!!

Happy Bonfire Night everybody!

A FEAST of firework action is promised this weekend at the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

The Waltham Abbey venue is holding its first ever public firework display for its Guy Fawkes Experience event.

Kicking off at 11am on Saturday and Sunday, the event begins with a performance of the Gunpowder Plot staged by local actors and there will also be a 17th century food-tasting experience.

The main attraction fireworks display will take place from 4.45pm onwards on both days.

The Sunday event will also see a plaque unveiled by actor Timothy West in recognition of the site’s contribution to transport heritage.

1 lucky winner must win £2000 worth of top quality pyro from Epic Fireworks in our latest free prize draw.

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Have you ever imagined having almost 50 kilo’s of gunpowder in pyrotechnics to use for your very own display?

How many rockets could you light at the same time? 50? 100? Who knows? It’s entirely up to you!

You could be just a couple of clicks away from the best fireworks display of your life.

So, what do you have to do? Simples (click) jsut log onto the Epic Fireworks website at www.epicfireworks.com.

Register your details with us. Wait for the mountain of fireworks to arrive at your door!

The winner of the prize draw will be selected from all customers that are registered on the Epic Fireworks website. The result of the draw will be posted on the Epic Fireworks blog and on the homepage of the website. To be in with your chance of winning this dream fireworks show, you must register your details with us on the website before the closing date 10th of November 2009. Register today!

The brilliant lancework fireworks from Tower Hamlets Fireworks Displays in London in 2006.

It is always good to see different shapes and patterns being used and this one must have looked very impressive, burning on a cold November night.

Big Ben in Flames

This must be something along the lines of what Guy Fawkes was aiming for. The symbol of government and power smouldering into ash.

Some people celebrate the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot, the way King James intended, some celebrate it’s attempt (more common nowadays). The main thing is we celebrate a man’s willingness to make a stand to make a change, of course we cannot condone his methods but it is said often of Guy Fawkes that he was “The only man ever to enter parliament with honest intentions.”

The execution of Guy Fawkes’ (Guy Fawkes), by Claes (Nicolaes) Jansz Visscher, given to the National Portrait Gallery, London in 1916.

The Execution of Guy Fawkes

This is the scene where Guy Fawkes was executed. It is a little known fact that Guy cheated the executioners. When he was to be hanged he planned to wait until the noose was around his neck and jump, thus snapping his neck and sparing him from the terrible pain of a full execution. Right up until his death, it seems, he was a cunning plotter.

The text at the top of the page transaltes as:

The PUNISHMENT
exacted from the eight conspirators in Britain,
on January 30 & 31, 1606,
actually exacted in separate groups of four,
but nevertheless on account of the very same cause of Punishment,

Everybody else was hung drawn and quartered. Learn more about the history of Guy Fawkes and the rest of the conspirators at Epic Fireworks Website.

A series of seemingly unconnected blasts at firework factories around the world has officials baffled.

Within the past days, Malta, India, and now Brazil have had major “accidents” at firework buildings and factories.

3 countries, 3 firework factories, 3 “innocent” explosions. Something doesn’t add up. Is there a modern day Guy Fawkes terrorising the fireworks world?

Heres the facts:

At least 11 people were killed and 13 others remain in serious condition following a deadly firecracker explosion in India.

The Friday blasts occurred in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, according to reports the explosives were being stored in a building when they mysteriously detonated. The explosion was so powerful that officials say the building collapsed due to the force. The Friday night explosion occurred in the central Tiruvannamalai district at a storage depot for firecrackers used for Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. There is yet no explanation for the blast.

An explosion at a Brazilian fireworks factory on Thursday left three people dead and dozens more seriously injured.

The factory, located near Sao Paulo took ablaze at 12:30 p.m. in the industrialised region of Santo Andre, on the outskirts of Brazil’s largest city. Local news reports say 40 firefighters were called to the scene of the explosion to help remove victims from the ruined building. There is still no official explanation for how the blast was caused.

In Malta the St Joseph Fireworks Factory in Ghaxaq exploded on Thursday night at approximately 11:40 p.m.

According to local media reports, the conflagration started in the mixing room, but no machinery was being used at the time? First aiders on the scene reported no serious injuries and preliminary investigations revealed that the blast blew away part of the compound’s perimeter wall.

So what is the cause of these supposedly isolated events. Is it possible that fireworks have a new enemy? A Guy Fawkesian rebel who is traversing the world, seeking out fireworks factories and destroying them? An international man of mystery who will stop at nothing to fulfil his dastardly schemes?

Who is this modern day Fawkes? And how is he to be stopped?

And a far more important question for those who know their history, where is his Robert Catesby?

Terrifying times indeed for the firework community, and a puzzle, that waits to be solved.

Guy Fawkes, The man who started it all

National Burns Week launches this November as people across the nation begin to light up bonfires, sparklers and fireworks to celebrate Bonfire Night on November 5th.

Bonfire night celebrates the foiling of Guy Fawkes’ gun powder plot to blow up the House on Parliament in 1605. The tradition of lighting a bonfire and watching fireworks brings people together and is great fun but it is important to remember that fireworks are essentially explosives that burn at very high temperatures and can be a danger to everyone, not least children.

So if you’re having a bonfire or fireworks at home in the garden this year, read on to find out what steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.

Bonfire Safety

Bonfires need a lot of organisation and can be dangerous if not planned well. If you do decide to have a bonfire follow these guide lines to make sure it runs smoothly and singe free.

- Don’t over stack your bonfire or make it too large to control
- Check immediately before lighting that there’s no animal or even a young child hidden inside or nearby
- Never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion
- Never put fireworks on a bonfire and don’t burn dangerous rubbish (e.g. aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture)
- Make sure spectators are kept well back to prevent flying embers catching alight on clothing
- When it’s all over the bonfire needs to be put out completely – don’t leave it smouldering as it could catch light again.

Remember the Firework Code

If you plan to use fireworks make sure your Bonfire Night celebration is burn free by following the Firework Safety Code. The code also applies to Sparklers which are often not seen as a potential hazard.

- Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
- Always follow the instructions on each individual firework
- Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper
- Once lit, stand well back
- Never go back to a lit firework
- Never put a firework in your pocket
- Never throw fireworks
- Store fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place

Keep sparklers in safe hands

Sparklers can get up to six times as hot as a pan of cooking oil. Follow these tips to make sparklers stay in safe hands.

- Light sparklers one at a time and always wear gloves
- Never give sparklers to a child under the age of five – they will not understand how to use them safely.
- Supervise children using sparklers and ensure they are wearing gloves
- Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand
- Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out as they can stay hot for a long time.
- Don’t take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely
- Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes that could potentially catch light
- Store sparklers in a closed box in a cool, dry place

Most bonfire night events run safely with no incidents but one of the most common injuries around this time of year is accidental burns.

What should I do to treat burns?

First step is to remove any further risk of burning. Then assess the burn to make sure you seek the appropriate treatment. Burns can be classified as follows:

Minor Burns

Common types of injuries include someone has burnt themselves on a sparkler or a bonfire ember. The burn is smaller than a postage stamp, very red and painful but the skin remains unbroken.

Major Burns

A major burn injury is when skin is damaged by a large amount of heat or prolonged amount of heat. It could include someone whose clothing has caught on fire and the skin is very damaged ranging from red-black in colour, the skin may also be cracked or blistered and weeping. There can be nerve damage so the victim may not be able to feel the burnt area.

Advice for Minor Burns

• Cool the burn with cold water for at least 10 minutes or use a burns specific treatment such as Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel
• Avoid touching the burn directly or bursting any blisters to limit infection and scarring
• If required cover the burn with a clean, non-fluffy material such as cling film to limit infection
• If the burn is larger than a postage stamp, it requires medical attention – seek advice/treatment from a pharmacist or doctor.

Advice for Major Burns

• If possible, try to cool the burn immediately under running water for at least 10 minutes
• Dial 999 for an ambulance
• Make the casualty as comfortable as possible, lie them down
• Whilst wearing disposable gloves, if available, remove jewellery, watch or clothing from the affected area – unless it is sticking to the skin
• Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material to protect from infection. Cloth, a clean plastic bag or cling film are ideal.

On ALL burns DO NOT

• Use lotions, ointments and creams other than those specifically made for burns treatments
• Put ice or very cold objects on the burn as damaged skin is very sensitive and it can make the pain worse
• Use adhesive or fluffy dressings
• Break or touch blisters

Be Prepared

The best way to avoid accidents is to be prepared! Spending time planning your bonfire and fireworks can prevent a fun evening from disaster. Brush up on your first aid skills and make sure you have a fully stocked First Aid Kit close by that includes Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel which will quickly ease the inflammation, protect against infection and support your skin’s healing process.

Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel is a breakthrough treatment based on unique OSMO4 technology that’s proven to provide immediate relief to burns and scalds, hydrate the skin to minimise potential scarring and protect against possible infection

Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel does not contain preservatives, alcohol or perfume. It is a non-sticky gel which is easily absorbed into the skin. Well tolerated and with a good safety profile, Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel is suitable for both adults and children (over 2 years) and can be applied directly onto unbroken skin.

Finally remember to keep your pets indoors and away from bonfire night celebrations. Some pets find the loud bangs caused by fireworks very distressing. Make your pet as comfortable as possible by keeping curtains closed in the evenings and giving them a warm safe place to relax away from the noise.

National Burns Week is supported by Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel and aims to raise awareness of household burns and educate people on the correct way to treat burns.

For more information about National Burns Week including expert tips and advice on how to avoid and treat household burns and Bonfire Night safety visit http://www.burnsadvice.co.uk.

Acriflex Cooling Burns Gel is available from all good pharmacies nationwide with a retail price of £3.99 for 30g. Click here for the original article.

A brilliant Guy Fawkes-esque plan has been devised to raise money for a childrens charity in West Sussex.

“The Night of a thousand Guys” is a charity project with high hopes. In association with the Dreams come true charity, the town of Chichester is attempting to break the world record for the most Guys burnt on a bonfire in one go.

Organised by a weekly West Sussex newspaper, the plan is to get 1,000 of its readers to make their own guy to burn on the giant bonfire, this will be the largest number of Guys ever burnt on a single bonfire.

The event will be the highlight of the Fontwell Park racecourse’s fireworks extravaganza on Saturday 31 October.

Dreams come True is a charity that tries to help seriously ill children by granting their dearest wishes.

We at Epic Fireworks wish the “Night of a Thousand Guys” great success and we hope that the local people can raise a lot of money for this very worthwhile charity.

Burning Guys on a bonfire is about as much a part of British Heritage as you can get and this way you get to make a difference to others and be a part of a world record at the same time.

So if you are in the West Sussex area and are able to help this charity and have fun at the same time we salute you. For more information and to see how you can help contact Dreams come True.