In an era where concerns over the misuse of fireworks dominate discussions, here’s a heartfelt plea to preserve a tradition that has illuminated the British skies for centuries.
The annual display of fireworks on November 5th, a symbolic commemoration of the failed Gunpowder Plot in 1605, stands at the crossroads of tradition and contemporary challenges right now.
My OPINION: I’m sorry, but I really like fireworks.
Whilst I understand fireworks can be dangerous in the hands of morons, so can plastic knives and forks. I have read your Facebook complaints of grievances about sleep disturbances and are well aware that our furry friends in the town, the cats, dogs, hamsters, and hedgehogs aren’t fans of the thunderous bangs either.
Despite the obvious and much-publicised risks fireworks can bring, my mind is unchanged.
But think back. Cherished times in the back garden with Nan and Grandad and the rest of the family huddled together, burning our effigy of Guy Fawkes that earnt us a few pounds with ‘Penny for the Guy’*, doesn’t this just spark a journey back to a simpler era. Remembers the time when neighbours joined in the festivities, creating a community united by the mesmerising brilliance of fireworks.
Back then, animals and their owners didn’t seem unduly bothered, and medical complaints and little Johnny not being able to sleep were unheard of. Families, including little Johnny, came together without the shadow of these concerns, sharing laughter and joy as the night sky lit up with vibrant hues. It was a time when the street was not divided by fears but united in celebration.
For all those claiming sleepless nights for their little Johnny, who were either allowed to share in the fun for the night when little and if you weren’t then little how did you feel? Well, think how little Johnny feels when you send him to bed early now.
Yes, OK I acknowledge the need for more stringent measures to control the sale of fireworks to the morons who want to set off fireworks in September and October but is that not the retailer’s fault for putting them on sale so early? How about banning Easter Eggs on sale on Boxing Day just in case we all buy them (and eat them) early – is not helping us to become an obese nation?
I passionately argue against a blanket ban. Let us spend more time restoring the essence of childhood joy, where friends and families gathered for warmth, jacket potatoes cooked on the bonfire in the garden with some manky coleslaw from the next-door neighbours, and little ones adorned with mittens learning to spell their names with sparklers.
The plea is clear – let us not sacrifice a cherished British tradition because of the misdeeds of a few. Instead, let us work towards a future where responsible sales and enjoyment takes precedence.
Can we try and bring back the communal spirit that once defined firework celebrations, where a sense of shared joy reignites the spark that once illuminated our darkest nights.
In doing so, we can preserve the legacy of a tradition that has woven itself into the cultural fabric of the nation, fostering unity, joy, and the timeless magic of fireworks.
*When was the last time you saw kids making a Guy Fawkes and doing ‘Penny for the Guy’?
