Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

Fireworks

Fireworks – where do you stand? Is it a bit of harmless fun that brightens our autumn, or does it reduce many of our streets to war zones and our animals to shivering wrecks? Should the government introduce regulations to protect those who simply wish to sit in their bungalows without leaping out of their armchairs with fright every time a Whiz-Blaster screams into the stratosphere, or should the nanny state get off the back of the people and let them enjoy themselves?

Of such fine decisions is government made.

I must confess that I have moved on this issue. Some years ago when the first trickle of letters complaining about bonfire night activities reached my desk, I was less than sympathetic. Surely, this is just harmless fun, and even though our own Jack Russell Terrier, now sadly departed, considered each explosion a personal attack upon his household, I took the view that the freedom to enjoy fireworks for a few nights a year was not something that government should meddle with. No longer.

As the bangs have got louder and the rockets soar ever higher; as fireworks night now ranges over three weeks rather than one night; as more and more youngsters think that stuffing a banger through granny’s door is a bit of a laugh, I now believe that it is time for action.

Over the last few years the trickle of your letters of protest has become a steady stream. This year they are pouring in. There has been an attempt at a voluntary code, but based on the evidence this year, this simply has not worked. So I welcome the Fireworks Act 2003 that gives the government power to make regulations.

But what should those regulations be? It is important not to overreact, but it would be good to restrict the use of fireworks – without licence - into a much shorter time period? I certainly would like to ban the sale of these things to young people (anyone under 65 perhaps!) and above all to impose a decibel limit on the big blasters.

Naturally we should not cramp the style of those who wish to celebrate Guy Fawkes still popular attempt to blow up Parliament! But we must surely protect vulnerable people and their loved pets.

Organised firework displays within set time limits are great – but let’s get the bangers off the streets. What do you think? E-mail me on mail@garystreeter.co.uk

posted by Nigel on Monday, November 17, 2003