MOD Bonfire 2014.

anyone got any tips for timing arriving and leaving this? Last year we were stuck in traffic to get out and it put such a downer on the evening. If we could just hit the sweet spot for arriving/standing around/leaving we'd be a happy family...

zebidee said:

anyone got any tips for timing arriving and leaving this? Last year we were stuck in traffic to get out and it put such a downer on the evening. If we could just hit the sweet spot for arriving/standing around/leaving we'd be a happy family...

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If anyone accurately answered that publicly here, what do you think might happen?

I agree with Gramaisc. Just find a street somewhere within a mile, park up and walk there.

Morning all.... Yes we have almost reached that time of year again!

As you are all probably aware there is major construction work happening around the site. This also is happening inside. The location we have fired from for the last 7 yrs is no longer available to us as there is a new gym going next to the sports field where the spectators used to stand. The new firing ground is further round to the left as you enter the facility and down towards the bottom (close to the area where the open day is staged). Anyone planning to watch the fireworks from Beaconside will struggle to see. I always advise my own family and friends to arrive as soon as they can after 6pm. The problem is that people leave it until the last minute to get through. Last year this was made worse by road works on the Beaconside. The guardroom advises the event manager of how many people are still coming through which again then possibly delays the firing.

At the end of the display everyone leaves at the same time unfortunately. I have to do a walk down of all the spent fireworks to ensure they have fired correctly and fuse and fire any that haven't before we can leave which takes about 30 minutes to do (thus why sometimes you see the odd firework going off as your leaving). When we come to leave it only takes minutes to get out... Maybe consider holding back and enjoying a coffee. I will try and find out more detail of how the traffic flow is being managed.

This event is probably the best value for money in Staffordshire hence it has become very popular. All proceeds go to several local charities hence my time and that of my firing team is free. We also do the Greenman Hixon display the following day for my local charity CHEF.

zebidee said:

anyone got any tips for timing arriving and leaving this? Last year we were stuck in traffic to get out and it put such a downer on the evening. If we could just hit the sweet spot for arriving/standing around/leaving we'd be a happy family...

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Same as for any other popular public event. Either leave 5 minutes early or do what @Hixon & MOD Fireworks says and sit down and enjoy a coffee/have a burger until the rush has died down.

Yea, I love this time of the year because my street ends up as free parking for the display. Ontop of that my dog goes farking mental and the fireworks will be starting when my 10month old goes to bed..... Champion that

wmrcomputers said:

If anyone accurately answered that publicly here, what do you think might happen?

I agree with Gramaisc. Just find a street somewhere within a mile, park up and walk there.

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Is this the only display in the area that isn't on a Friday or Saturday night that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get in?

Also, having "Remember, Remember the 5th of November" at the top of the flyer/poster when it's on the 6th has somewhat amused me.

SiAllen said:

Yea, I love this time of the year because my street ends up as free parking for the display.

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This is the reason we parked on the site. We live within 2 miles or so depending on the route you take and I would walk the lot but 7 year old might not and the other half won't

zebidee said:

This is the reason we parked on the site. We live within 2 miles or so depending on the route you take and I would walk the lot but 7 year old might not and the other half won't

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You give them the choice??

I've told our lot I'll possibly be taking them myself.... but they'll be walking whether they like it or not - if they wish to go.

Okay an update as to MoD and Hixon Fireworks. We can now confirm both displays are definitely going ahead. We have had to source alternative supply of Professional Fireworks after the sad incident last week. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those affected and the decision to continue with our displays has been very hard to make as Richard and Simon are well known to me and my team..

Spread the word around and I look forward to seeing you all at our displays.

Set up at the MOD is ongoing on time..... see you there. ....

Ended up going Fenton Park because it was on the right night and the only one my SO could make due to work/union commitments.