Fireworks blog UK: news and updates

The Health and Safety Executive has published updated guidelines on the storage and selling of fireworks.

Amongst the novelties for the Olymics opening-ceremony fireworks will be smiley-face shape shells, the Chinese authorities said today in an announcement about their plans. They are part of a theme - to be reflected on staff and volunteer clothing - to soften China's authoritarian image.

Cai Guoqiang, the artistic director for the fireworks, announced that fireworks would be launched from a staggering 1,800 sites around the city of Beijing, including major urban areas near Tiananmen Square and the Bird's Nest stadium near the Olympic Village.

'We want the Olympic spirit to be... more

An attempt to break the world record for the number of records in a single flight has been cancelled after teh local Environmental Health Department raised the possibility of prosecution.

Terry McDonald set his first world record in 1997 with the launch of 39,210 rockets to raise funds for the BBC's Children in Need appeal during Jersey's Battle of the Flowers Festival.

The record stood until 2006 when Roy Lowry launched 56,405 rockets in 30 seconds at the 2006 British Fireworks Championships in Plymouth.

After extensive preparations and costs of over £50,000 the att... more

Ten teams from various countries and regions will participate in the 20th Macao International Fireworks Displays Contest to be held in late September and early October, the Tourist Office (MGTO) of the Macao Special Administrative Region announced today (14.07.08).

The contest, organized by MGTO, will be held on Sept. 13, 24,20,27 and October 1 at the sea area in front of the Macao Tower.

The competing teams will come from Germany, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, France, Australia and China.

'Each participating te... more

Most readers of fireworks.co.uk will be aware that almost all consumer fireworks available in the UK are manufactured in China.

The devastating eathquake which hit the country does not seem to have significantly affected the Hunan province, which is the heart of fireworks making. Nevertheless, our sympathies should go to China as a nation for the losses suffered.

With tragedies such as this, it is common for the media to lose interest after a while. The problems of rebuilding whole towns and replacing the whole social infra... more

The city of York - where Guy Fawkes was born and brought up - was without an official fireworks display last year when the City council decided it had better things to spend the money on.

Now the York Tourism Bureau is taking up the issue and is seeking support to remedy what they see as a great failing in terms of celebrations and public relations for the City.

Bureau chief executive Gillian Cruddas said: 'We do understand the budgetary constraints. However, we're currently exploring several options to try to secure funding for the event.

'We're also looking at a lo... more

'Christmas traditions go by the board as fireworks oust Queen'. This was a headline in The Scotsman in response to a new survey on modern-day customs at Christmas. Over 26% now enjoy fireworks as part of their Christmas celebrations while the number watching the Queen's Speech continues to decline and fewer than 18% will toast the Monarch.

The survey was carried out by UKTV and Brian Turner, the television chef and spokesman for the TV company,  said: 'While w... more

The London information website London SE1 has announced details of this year's New Year fireworks festivities.

'London is one of the best cities in the world to visit during the Christmas period and the New Year's Eve fireworks display is world-famous,' says Ken Livingstone.

'It is one of the hundreds of attractions taking place in the capital during the Christmas and New Year period, which make the London the most exciting city in the world.'

London's display is produced by Jack Morton Worldwide and internatio... more

A British company, Pains Fireworks, has become the first UK company to win the international fireworks festival in Montreal.

Wiltshire-based Pains Fireworks won the Golden Jupiter award at L'International Des Feux, regarded as the world's greatest fireworks competition.

It is the first time a British company has won the competition during its 23-year history and only the fifth time a British company has been invited to attend.

Eight countries competed for the gold, silver and bronze Jupiter awards - the pyrotechnic industry's most coveted prizes - in a competition th... more

Tickets are now on sale for one of the fireworks highlights of the year, the display marking the end of the Edinburgh International Festival.

The display and concert - featuring music by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra - takes place in Princes Street Gardens on September 2.

More than 1,000,000 fireworks will be set off in the space of just 45 minutes during the annual event, sponsored by Bank of Scotland.

This year the display - claimed to be the biggest annual event of its kind in Europe - has been created by international fireworks artists Wilf Scott and Keith We... more