[MovedGoalPosts]

Unfortunately the minority once again do their utmost to spoil things for the majority. We can go down the route of nanny state, legislating for everything until there is nothing left to enjoy. Or we can attempt to educate, and persuade to change behaviour patterns, and avoid Big Brother knows best syndrome. And for those who say education doesn't work, look at the commonly accepted view that drink driving is unacceptable (except a certain small hardcore of idiots), yet once it wasn't an issue.

Fireworks can be dangerous, even in the hands of the responsible, but if one is aware that there is a risk, and makes the choice to accept that risk, is it really reasonable to say a member of the public should not hold their own firework party? Life without any form of risk to many would be extremely tedious.

Abuse of fireworks is undoubtedly a significant issue. Too many are now disturbed for many nights in a row by the indiscriminate use of fireworks. Over the last few years it has become the norm for fireworks to serenade any form of celebration. As more bang for your buck garden display fireworks have become more common, so this frequent disturbance issue has become more problematic.

Legislation that fireworks may not be used after 11:00pm, except for special occasions is in my view reasonable. Indeed I am not convinced that even on the 5th November there is a need for the time relaxation, Bonfire Night itself is not exactly marking a specific time, unlike certain other events like new year. However one does wonder how well this time constraint can be enforced, and by whom. By the time most police or other agency arrives on site, the evidence will literally have gone up in smoke.

Perhaps a large part of the problem is the changing British social scene. Even organised displays are now frequently scheduled for weekend dates either side of the actual 5th November event, so as to allow for maximum attendance. This attitude to moving events to when they are best for the organiser and attendees, rather than being restricted to the exact date is happening at all social levels. It is thus hardly surprising that we get the barrage of fireworks over a long period.

Maybe a sensible option would be to better control the point of sale of fireworks. We are seeing a trend towards specialist shops selling, rather than the corner newsagent. Perhaps all vendors should be better licenced and controlled, rather like we do with off licences, so that there is reduced accessibility to the firework by the under age idiots who will persist in letting the things of in stupid locations. Certainly the specialist shops I go to appear responsible, even to the extent of helping to work out a good variety range, describing the appropriate effects, so as to enable a vibrant effective party display.