Fireworks

[Julie2owlsdene]

I feel for the animals too, Cathy, and acts of cruelty for fun, and stories of this, just spoil things for the sensible purchaser that wants to buy fireworks for a treat for his or her children to watch.

It's always the minority that spoil things for the majority, and gives the product a bad name. In this case fireworks.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Nigel - this was just exactly the point I was making!

Not the impression I got from what you said, Rob!

I'd personally sooner see alcohol being banned in supermarkets...

Ah, but what Rob actually said was:

I'd personally sooner see alcohol being banned in supermarkets, so that if people want to drink they have to go to a pub... More people are killed each year by misuse of alcohol than fireworks...

The remainder of the comment and the symbol make all the difference!

[Domino]

But now you're not reading Nigel's original reply of the 8th. properly. As far as I'm aware, Waitrose is a supermarket.

Dave

[Anita Bensoussane]

I know Waitrose is a supermarket, but I got the impression that Nigel thought Rob was seriously suggesting that alcoholic drinks should only be available in pubs. Maybe I got the wrong impression though!

[Domino]

You've not got the wrong impression at all, Anita. Rob was suggesting that. But Nigel said:

"It wasn't alcohol that split this family up, it was the husband who split his family up. Why should I be denied to buy my favourite beers from Waitrose because of louts who can't handle it?"

Dave

[Anita Bensoussane]

But I don't think Rob was really suggesting that. I thought Rob was saying it wouldn't make much difference to him personally if alcohol was only available in pubs, but that he wouldn't welcome general restrictions like that being brought in simply because a few people drink to excess and (in some cases) cause harm to themselves and others as a result. He was drawing a parallel with fireworks.

That's the way I understood it, anyway!

[Katharine]

I'm totally confused as to who said what now - I need a drink.

[Fiona1986]

All my books are inaccessible at the moment, and I was trying to remember what the names of the fireworks were in the Secret Seven books. Wasn't there one called Jumping Jack, or Jack-in-a-box? And I seem to remember Crackers, but I'm not sure if that's from an SS book or an actual firework we used to have.

Secret Seven Fireworks has Moon Rockets but possibly other types too. Mr Twiddle has catherine-wheels, roman candles, squibs and rockets. I put extracts from these stories (and others) on the blog for November 5th.

I think we have a thread for Enid Blyton related bonfire stories, but I was just wondering if there is any mention of animals being frightened in any of them? I know there are one or two Secret Seven books set at that time of year, did Scamper join in or was he kept indoors?

Only one figure is missing from the Grand Firework Party. Guess who it is? Yes, it’s dear old Scamper. He’s terrified of bangs and crashes, so he is lying comfortable in his basket by the fire, pretending he can’t go because his leg is bandaged! From the end of Secret Seven Fireworks.

[joanne_chan]

All I can say is I had a great time at a private party with a bonfire and fireworks with close friends where a responsible person set them off having a fun time - in many ways the recreation of a child-like memory - after which having warmed up we had plenty of food. It wouldn't of felt the same had it of been an organized one like the huge one just across the ridge from where we were in the Black Country on Saturday, which was very visible.

[Rob Houghton]

But I don't think Rob was really suggesting that. I thought Rob was saying it wouldn't make much difference to him personally if alcohol was only available in pubs, but that he wouldn't welcome general restrictions like that being brought in simply because a few people drink to excess and (in some cases) cause harm to themselves and others as a result. He was drawing a parallel with fireworks.

That's the way I understood it, anyway!

At least one person understood! Yes - exactly what I was saying...and my technique for saying it obviously worked, and had the desired effect, as it got Nigel all hot around the collar, lol!

I know the shops sell tons of things that could be dangerous, like knives and scissors and things, and I know we can't ban everything, but to me theyre just something really unnecessary and the less things we can sell that are dangerous, the better, in my opinion.

I guess I feel extra strongly about this because I'm crazy about animals!

I also love animals, before someone suggests I don't, lol - but that is exactly my point. As you said above, "but to me they're just something really unnecessary" - just as alcohol would be unnecessary to someone who doesn't drink, or chocolate to someone who doesn't eat chocolate, or meat to a vegetarian. I know fireworks are explosives and I see what you're saying, and can't really be compared to alcohol, chocolate or meat but it would just be a case of restricting things you personally didn't like/use.

Which, again, is what I was sort of saying earlier on.

I'm off to quaff a gallon of ale after all that!

[Moonraker]

You've not got the wrong impression at all, Anita. Rob was suggesting that. But Nigel said:
"It wasn't alcohol that split this family up, it was the husband who split his family up. Why should I be denied to buy my favourite beers from Waitrose because of louts who can't handle it?"

Thank you so much, Dave. I am so relieved someone has understood my point! I think I'll pop down to our local Co-op now - they're selling three beers for a fiver!

[Rob Houghton]

I actually thought this thread was about fireworks?

[Courtenay]

I thought it was about tea.

[Rob Houghton]

You've not got the wrong impression at all, Anita. Rob was suggesting that. But Nigel said:
"It wasn't alcohol that split this family up, it was the husband who split his family up. Why should I be denied to buy my favourite beers from Waitrose because of louts who can't handle it?"

Thank you so much, Dave. I am so relieved someone has understood my point! I think I'll pop down to our local Co-op now - they're selling three beers for a fiver!

Again, this was EXACTLY the point I was making. Oh dear!!! Why should anyone be denied the pleasure of fireworks in their own gardens just because a few yobs misbehave? Exactly my point!

[Spitfire]

All my books are inaccessible at the moment, and I was trying to remember what the names of the fireworks were in the Secret Seven books. Wasn't there one called Jumping Jack, or Jack-in-a-box? And I seem to remember Crackers, but I'm not sure if that's from an SS book or an actual firework we used to have.

Secret Seven Fireworks has Moon Rockets but possibly other types too. Mr Twiddle has catherine-wheels, roman candles, squibs and rockets. I put extracts from these stories (and others) on the blog for November 5th.

Thanks Fiona. I think I must be thinking of Good Work Secret Seven. Great blog post by the way - I really had no idea there were so many short stories featuring Bonfire Night!