h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Re: the chap that sells bangers to kids. It's been reported, frequently. Ever met a copper that cared about fireworks? I haven't. Three times this year I've been to a police station to report kids throwing fireworks. Three times I've been told "yeah, they will do" . This is why I just don't see the point in further legislation.

Now is the season for fireworks in Germany. When I first moved here, I had no idea that fireworks were let off at midnight on New Year's Eve and couldn't begin to imagine what would happen when I was told to "look out of the window at midnight" (I was babysitting and I thought perhaps they'd put a bottle of on the balcony or something)

However, it was to see the fireworks. Nowadays, I have a feeling that in Britain, too, fireworks are let off at New Year's Eve. Is this so?

In Germany, the sale of fireworks is restricted to the 27th - 29th December and most people have their own private displays, totally unorganised and just a load of noise and flashing lights.

Very often, too, these lead to fires and injuries (two years ago, an errant rocket caused a whole barn full of straw to burn down.)

Organised displays are far more satisfying to watch and make for a really festive occasion. I miss Bonfire Night, because whereas here you have to stand out at Midnight in the freezing cold and drink freezing cold and hold out until the last bang has gone off and make polite conversation with the neighbours, on bonfire night the fireworks can be let off at any time and you're outside anyway.

Anyway, I would be pleased if someone could tell me if you have fireworks in Britain now at Midnight of New Year's Eve. It'll save me the cost of a flight over to see for myself.

There were lots of shows at the Millennium, but I don't think it's traditional at New Year. Fireworks have become popular for birthdays & special parties though.
Someone locally had a big display on Christmas Day around 6-8pm, seemed to go on with terrific bangs for ages, which I thought was a bit anti-social. Our cat doesn't mind, but I know there are people with pets who hate the noise.

Not only people with pets... I am extremly afraid of all the bangs on New Year's Eve and I really start panicking in the very moment I have to leave my flat. It was very calming to spent that night on a small North Sea island last year, because fireworks are banned there on the behalf of all the thatched roofs.

People around where I live (the Midlands) have set off fireworks at midnight New Year's Eve for the past five years or so- everyone's watch's are different tho'- so it tends to last ten minutes either side

What I really learned to love are the Bonfires they have in Iceland - very huge, and about 5 of them just in Reykjavík, as far as I remember. Anyway, they are in fireworks, too, which makes it a bit difficult for me.