Firework Displays 2015

peggy

Well-Known Forumite
Darn, every year I say Im going to make it to the MOD display and still haven't made it!
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

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MOD Bonfire tonight - I've tried to find information on the current cloud-base height, but the only thing I can find suggests that it is 60 metres, which is clearly nonsense, the top light on the tower is well clear. Should be a good show and the rain has mostly passed now.
Was certainly raining when we were setting up... any advice on trench foot?
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
I hate to come across grumpy, but how much bigger was the budget? In my opinion I felt that I have seen better up there during previous years - but don't get me wrong as for the price charged it's fab value for money and certainly cheaper for a family than buying fireworks for at home like we used to.
My main grump is that it took us an hour to walk out of the camp as there were groups of people walking a few different ways and we followed the wrong group and headed well away from the main gate - so I feel that some signage might help. We weren't alone either there were people heading off like sheep in all sorts of directions.
Sorry you were delayed in the great escape. I'm only responsible for setting up and control of fireworks not the event layout of the site. I can pass on your comments to the military personnel. Must admit I got lost going round to the firing ground in daylight because there has been so much change in buildings and reference points....
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
It was the first time I'd been to the MOD one and I was really impressed - watching Brit be mesmerised by it all was also good fun.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks..... btw I was the moron getting showered in debris and feeling wet still from a long day.... doing it all again tomorrow at the greenman in hixon!
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
I think they've had it going a bit more insane in the last minute during previous years (the grand finale sort of thing), but other than that it was very enjoyable. I really fancied a hot dog and a brew, but didn't fancy pushing through the crowds in attempt to get one, so I left it. ;)
I'll let you in on a secret..... the ending had to change half way through the display on safety grounds as we had a shell lob only 20 metres into the sky and at that point we had to stop mortars until we were happy that is why they were set off individually at the end otherwise the finale cake which was 2 minutes long would have been accompanied by 25 shells which would have burst the ear drums... the photos I have from the rear definitely show the low level attack.... sorry seriously safety of the team and more importantly the spectators is not for compromise.... I was upset we couldn't finish as expected.... she who must be obeyed says the same things sometimes
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
I'll let you in on a secret..... the ending had to change half way through the display on safety grounds as we had a shell lob only 20 metres into the sky and at that point we had to stop mortars until we were happy that is why they were set off individually at the end otherwise the finale cake which was 2 minutes long would have been accompanied by 25 shells which would have burst the ear drums... the photos I have from the rear definitely show the low level attack.... sorry seriously safety of the team and more importantly the spectators is not for compromise.... I was upset we couldn't finish as expected.... she who must be obeyed says the same things sometimes
The low level attack.....
MoD_Fireworks_2015-0110.jpg
 

Wormella

Well-Known Forumite
I'll let you in on a secret..... the ending had to change half way through the display on safety grounds as we had a shell lob only 20 metres into the sky and at that point we had to stop mortars until we were happy that is why they were set off individually at the end otherwise the finale cake which was 2 minutes long would have been accompanied by 25 shells which would have burst the ear drums... the photos I have from the rear definitely show the low level attack.... sorry seriously safety of the team and more importantly the spectators is not for compromise.... I was upset we couldn't finish as expected.... she who must be obeyed says the same things sometimes

I got a sense something changed midway - but it really was excellent, and we managed to get perfect viewing points too.
 

Tants

Well-Known Forumite
Looked really good from what we saw before our 2yr went into complete meltdown and we had to leave, great value too. My only gripe was that it seemed really, really crowded. Surely with all that space the spectator area could have been bigger to the side and still safe? The open day that they did was over such a great big area it worked well.

One other question, does anyone know what happened on the way in when the road got closed inside the MOD for a police car and ambulance? Hoping someone wasn't to badly hurt?
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
I got a sense something changed midway - but it really was excellent, and we managed to get perfect viewing points too.
Thanks for your comment me and my team will always try and give the best we can again I stress it was for your safety we adapted and will never compromise. What was annoying and a bit of a distraction the SBcouncil decided to phone regarding the display we were doing the day after which was tonight to discuss the display at the the greenman at Hixon. I wouldn't mind but they had weeks to ask the same questions but badgered us the same time as setting up the display at the MOD. Let's get realistic...... why ask questions the day before when several thousand pounds are already spent weeks before the display which is clearly advertised. I'm very annoyed as you may tell.
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
I must admit I noticed one blew at a very low level. Makes a bit more sense now ;)
Well you probably didn't hear me shout the words "DOWN" this is key word to my team not to look up..... I was stood less than 10 metres from the misfire - I'm so chuffed their training kicked in they all responded perfectly. They knew their backs were watched!!! We had a debrief after and the whole team were shown the photo posted before..... that was a near miss that triggered an inspection and report.....
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
Looked really good from what we saw before our 2yr went into complete meltdown and we had to leave, great value too. My only gripe was that it seemed really, really crowded. Surely with all that space the spectator area could have been bigger to the side and still safe? The open day that they did was over such a great big area it worked well.

One other question, does anyone know what happened on the way in when the road got closed inside the MOD for a police car and ambulance? Hoping someone wasn't to badly hurt?
OK. The mod did section off another area in fairness to allow overspill. I viewed the area and disagreed on safety reasons. Sorry about that but you would be pleased to hear that where they had planned was hit..... so I personally would not have liked to have been standing there. A couple of years ago there was an issue at a major display over milford way where consideration in my personal opinion was lacking..... again I stress I will not compromise on your safety nor would the mod when explained and assessed with our experience they agreed. Yes apparently there was an accident on one of the roads internally but I can't comment because I only look after fireworks.
 

Hixon & MOD Fireworks

Well-Known Forumite
Looked really good from what we saw before our 2yr went into complete meltdown and we had to leave, great value too. My only gripe was that it seemed really, really crowded. Surely with all that space the spectator area could have been bigger to the side and still safe? The open day that they did was over such a great big area it worked well.

One other question, does anyone know what happened on the way in when the road got closed inside the MOD for a police car and ambulance? Hoping someone wasn't to badly hurt?
I will discuss on your behalf and my own with the mod to increase spectator areas again I stress we set fireworks up with fallout areas that are realistic. Thanks for your comment.

By the way if you didn't go to the Greenman tonight then you missed a small children's display that went on for 45 minutes and will be the same next year..... was great to let off a funky frog or two without being weighed down in gear and hearing gasps and seeing crowd line rammed with 2 ft people loved it!!!!!
 

cardigan29

Well-Known Forumite
Arrived at the Shugborough Bonfire entrance at 7.05 pm tonight (fire lit at 7 with fireworks at 8) then spent the next 50mins in a queue getting in there. As we hadn't pre-booked tickets (nor had the vast majority in front or behind us) we were diverted to the farm side away from the event.

After 50mins I got to the farm which was a scene of chaos with cars and people everywhere and a sign saying the event was sold out. No-one was letting us know but I overheard people saying they wouldn't even let them walk in plus that there was hardly enough parking left for the pre-booked cars.

So basically we just had to leave....its annoying as there were huge fields on the way in where people could have parked!

I will never be going back there again for Bonfire night!
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Arrived at the Shugborough Bonfire entrance at 7.05 pm tonight (fire lit at 7 with fireworks at 8) then spent the next 50mins in a queue getting in there. As we hadn't pre-booked tickets (nor had the vast majority in front or behind us) we were diverted to the farm side away from the event.

After 50mins I got to the farm which was a scene of chaos with cars and people everywhere and a sign saying the event was sold out. No-one was letting us know but I overheard people saying they wouldn't even let them walk in plus that there was hardly enough parking left for the pre-booked cars.

So basically we just had to leave....its annoying as there were huge fields on the way in where people could have parked!

I will never be going back there again for Bonfire night!

Next year pop up the castle and watch everyone's fireworks in a 180 degree vista
 

Tants

Well-Known Forumite
Arrived at the Shugborough Bonfire entrance at 7.05 pm tonight (fire lit at 7 with fireworks at 8) then spent the next 50mins in a queue getting in there. As we hadn't pre-booked tickets (nor had the vast majority in front or behind us) we were diverted to the farm side away from the event.

After 50mins I got to the farm which was a scene of chaos with cars and people everywhere and a sign saying the event was sold out. No-one was letting us know but I overheard people saying they wouldn't even let them walk in plus that there was hardly enough parking left for the pre-booked cars.

So basically we just had to leave....its annoying as there were huge fields on the way in where people could have parked!

I will never be going back there again for Bonfire night!

From reading about it on Twitter it seems there were plenty of families that HAD pre-booked tickets and were still turned away because it was full. It was a farce last year trying to leave the event, this year it seems they've upgraded that to the start and middle of it too!
 

Floss

Well-Known Forumite
I thought there were more ppl ,having fireworks at home this year I've seen plenty of free displays from my sofa !
 
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