30 Sept 08, 14.30
The banks and financial institutions may be falling around us but everyone of our customers are going full steam ahead with their Bonfire Night Celebrations. We are scurrying around designing, getting music mixed and fusing. We have nothing to fear but fear itself!
30 Sept 2008
29 Sept 2008
Shakin' All Over
29 Sept 08, 9.18am
If you ever thought that government regulations hit your own job or industry hard, then try, just for a moment, to consider how it would be to sell explosives to the public. Or detonate them in front of a crowd. If the thought makes you nervous it leaves officialdom positively quivering.
The British Pyrotechics Association (BPA) does a fine job in promoting safe firework displays and urging event organisers to use member companies who are 'proper'. They also represent the display industry in discussions with those who police the industry - principally the Health and Safety Executive Explosives Inspectorate.
These fine people at the H&SE have their home in Bootle, Merseyside, and it is their job to scrutinise imports, storage, and distribution of fireworks. The BPA has a meeting with them on October 1st to go over how things are working. Actually they are not. Bureaucracy is slowing the import clearance process to many months where it should be a few weeks. Someone suggested we give them a rocket or something stronger, but I am sure they were joking.
Really.
If you ever thought that government regulations hit your own job or industry hard, then try, just for a moment, to consider how it would be to sell explosives to the public. Or detonate them in front of a crowd. If the thought makes you nervous it leaves officialdom positively quivering.
The British Pyrotechics Association (BPA) does a fine job in promoting safe firework displays and urging event organisers to use member companies who are 'proper'. They also represent the display industry in discussions with those who police the industry - principally the Health and Safety Executive Explosives Inspectorate.
These fine people at the H&SE have their home in Bootle, Merseyside, and it is their job to scrutinise imports, storage, and distribution of fireworks. The BPA has a meeting with them on October 1st to go over how things are working. Actually they are not. Bureaucracy is slowing the import clearance process to many months where it should be a few weeks. Someone suggested we give them a rocket or something stronger, but I am sure they were joking.
Really.
28 Sept 2008
Scents and Sensibility
28 Sept 08, 9.58am
Sunday is a day for reflection. Looking at the assortment of eaux de toilette on my bathroom shelf this morning led me to an uncomfortable thought. They're stacking up faster than I can use them. If people don't stop giving them to me as Christmas presents they'll still be here after I'm gone. I've decided to address the problem. From tomorrow I'll start the day with a daily blast of Bulgari, Paco Rabane or Drakkar Noir. My calculation, based on moratoriums on things like nuclear weapons, is that if no one gives me any more, and I get through a full canister every six months, I should have exhausted current stocks by 2011. The price I'll pay for this is bound to be some peculiar looks in the office every morning. But I tell myself it's worth it just in order not to be outlived by Ralph Lauren.
Sunday is a day for reflection. Looking at the assortment of eaux de toilette on my bathroom shelf this morning led me to an uncomfortable thought. They're stacking up faster than I can use them. If people don't stop giving them to me as Christmas presents they'll still be here after I'm gone. I've decided to address the problem. From tomorrow I'll start the day with a daily blast of Bulgari, Paco Rabane or Drakkar Noir. My calculation, based on moratoriums on things like nuclear weapons, is that if no one gives me any more, and I get through a full canister every six months, I should have exhausted current stocks by 2011. The price I'll pay for this is bound to be some peculiar looks in the office every morning. But I tell myself it's worth it just in order not to be outlived by Ralph Lauren.
27 Sept 2008
Here Comes the Sun
27 Sept 08, 06.47
There's a beautiful autumn mist hanging over Rocket Park this morning. It looks like being another warm and sunny day. The spell of settled weather is forecast to extend into next week, which is good news for our top team of technicians as they prepare hundreds of displays for Bonfire Night. This tranquil scene won't last long though. By Monday morning the air will be throbbing as our musical youth fuse and pack to the sound of heavy metal. Tom, who's our site supremo, tells me that AC/DC's Rock'n'Roll Train is a current favourite. It's what keeps them on the right track.
There's a beautiful autumn mist hanging over Rocket Park this morning. It looks like being another warm and sunny day. The spell of settled weather is forecast to extend into next week, which is good news for our top team of technicians as they prepare hundreds of displays for Bonfire Night. This tranquil scene won't last long though. By Monday morning the air will be throbbing as our musical youth fuse and pack to the sound of heavy metal. Tom, who's our site supremo, tells me that AC/DC's Rock'n'Roll Train is a current favourite. It's what keeps them on the right track.
26 Sept 2008
Sweet Experience
26 Sept 08, 17.40
Today I received a box of chocolates delivered to work. A thank you present from one of the weekend trainees. A wonderful surprise which kept me smiling all day. Someone phoned wanting a quote for a display and when I asked how they had heard of us the gentleman replied he had seen Jon's number plate 5 NOV, and googled it. I wonder if that means he can claim his car is an advertising hoarding and get a tax rebate on it?
Today I received a box of chocolates delivered to work. A thank you present from one of the weekend trainees. A wonderful surprise which kept me smiling all day. Someone phoned wanting a quote for a display and when I asked how they had heard of us the gentleman replied he had seen Jon's number plate 5 NOV, and googled it. I wonder if that means he can claim his car is an advertising hoarding and get a tax rebate on it?
25 Sept 2008
Tom Clark And The 8th Crusade
25 Sept 08, 07.30am
As impossible as it seems next week I will be leading the outside troops into battle for the 8th time. I can still remember doing my very first season at the tender age of 20!
However before next week there is the joy of this week . Yes, after months of searching I have finally found a new bike which will hopefully be delivered on Friday. I cannot wait to get it out on the open road.
As impossible as it seems next week I will be leading the outside troops into battle for the 8th time. I can still remember doing my very first season at the tender age of 20!
However before next week there is the joy of this week . Yes, after months of searching I have finally found a new bike which will hopefully be delivered on Friday. I cannot wait to get it out on the open road.
24 Sept 2008
New Kid on the Blog
24 Sept 08, 10.44am
Fantastic Fireworks would like to welcome Kate McGing to the team. Kate joined us on Monday to take on the role of Office Administrator and will be working with Linda, Ali & David to prepare for the busy season ahead. Crewing is now well underway and Kate and Linda are thrilled with the exciting prospect of laminating approx 400 firing orders for the November firers packs....bring it on!!
Fantastic Fireworks would like to welcome Kate McGing to the team. Kate joined us on Monday to take on the role of Office Administrator and will be working with Linda, Ali & David to prepare for the busy season ahead. Crewing is now well underway and Kate and Linda are thrilled with the exciting prospect of laminating approx 400 firing orders for the November firers packs....bring it on!!
23 Sept 2008
Top of the class
23 Sept 08, 12.20
What a brilliant weekend. We had a fabulous batch of new people wanting to learn how to set up and fire those nasty dangerous things which we all love. It's joy to teach anyone as keen as they were. The reasons for people coming along to the Fantastic Fireworks training course ranged from a birthday present from the wife, to a contingent of firers from Malaysia. All lovely people and I'm sure some of the trainees from this course will be our senior firers in a couple of years.
What a brilliant weekend. We had a fabulous batch of new people wanting to learn how to set up and fire those nasty dangerous things which we all love. It's joy to teach anyone as keen as they were. The reasons for people coming along to the Fantastic Fireworks training course ranged from a birthday present from the wife, to a contingent of firers from Malaysia. All lovely people and I'm sure some of the trainees from this course will be our senior firers in a couple of years.
22 Sept 2008
A weekend full of Eastern Promise
22 Sept 08, 1.31pm
The prospect of a major display in Egypt and a visit by a party of Malaysian pyrotechnicians added to the weekend excitement. While I spent a relaxing Sunday on the Grand Union Canal our Senior Display Manager Ali Robertson was busy checking out the complexities of getting fireworks and crew out to the Land of the Pharoes for a new hotel opening next year. In between she was putting our latest group of trainees through their paces. These included four who had flown over from Malayasia especially to attend. They were so pleased with what they had learnt that they went home today proudly clutching their certificates and suggesting that the next Fantastic Fireworks training course should be held in Kuala Lumpur!
The prospect of a major display in Egypt and a visit by a party of Malaysian pyrotechnicians added to the weekend excitement. While I spent a relaxing Sunday on the Grand Union Canal our Senior Display Manager Ali Robertson was busy checking out the complexities of getting fireworks and crew out to the Land of the Pharoes for a new hotel opening next year. In between she was putting our latest group of trainees through their paces. These included four who had flown over from Malayasia especially to attend. They were so pleased with what they had learnt that they went home today proudly clutching their certificates and suggesting that the next Fantastic Fireworks training course should be held in Kuala Lumpur!
21 Sept 2008
Waiting til the cows come home
21 Sept 08, 20.40
How could a herd of Friesian cows call time on a lesson in rocket science? Very easily! Our weekend training course ended today with a practical demonstration of setting up and firing a display. For this Fantastic Fireworks depends on the good offices of our local farmer Gary Speirs who farms a stretch of land which borders the M1 near Luton (you may see our Fireworks banner there.) Gary lets us hold our demo provided we finish by 5pm. This is because his herd of Friesians need to make their way back to be milked and if they are disturbed by the bangs the results can produce a lot more than just milk! Since Gary, who's as friendly and helpful as David Archer, has got us out of many scrapes in the past we're only too willing to oblige.
How could a herd of Friesian cows call time on a lesson in rocket science? Very easily! Our weekend training course ended today with a practical demonstration of setting up and firing a display. For this Fantastic Fireworks depends on the good offices of our local farmer Gary Speirs who farms a stretch of land which borders the M1 near Luton (you may see our Fireworks banner there.) Gary lets us hold our demo provided we finish by 5pm. This is because his herd of Friesians need to make their way back to be milked and if they are disturbed by the bangs the results can produce a lot more than just milk! Since Gary, who's as friendly and helpful as David Archer, has got us out of many scrapes in the past we're only too willing to oblige.
19 Sept 2008
Won't get fooled again
20 Sept 08, 9.50am
You can fool some people all of the time - they're the ones to focus on! I had to smile when I read this quote attributed to George W Bush this week. It almost happened to Fantastic Fireworks yesterday. We took a call from someone wanting an £8,000 display. He had all the right credentials, well spoken, a smart address in Surrey and a 'black' card. The only problem was that he was very reluctant to divulge any further details. You can never be too careful when dealing with telephone orders, especially when they are for large sums of money. Fortunately our system of checks caught him out. When our quick-thinking Hayley asked for further proof of identity his tone, and accent, suddenly changed, for the worse. We heard no more, sorry to have lost a display but not as sorry as we might have been.
You can fool some people all of the time - they're the ones to focus on! I had to smile when I read this quote attributed to George W Bush this week. It almost happened to Fantastic Fireworks yesterday. We took a call from someone wanting an £8,000 display. He had all the right credentials, well spoken, a smart address in Surrey and a 'black' card. The only problem was that he was very reluctant to divulge any further details. You can never be too careful when dealing with telephone orders, especially when they are for large sums of money. Fortunately our system of checks caught him out. When our quick-thinking Hayley asked for further proof of identity his tone, and accent, suddenly changed, for the worse. We heard no more, sorry to have lost a display but not as sorry as we might have been.
Man Flu strikes FF
19 Sept 09, 8:50am
We have been without one of our Display Managers for 3 days now. David Willsher is currently battling the well-known killer that is 'Man Flu'. I'm sure all you men out there will sympathise with David at this time as he struggles on. He seems to have taken a turn for the worse although his doctors are optimistic that he will pull through. Taking him down in his prime and just before the season starts it couldn't have struck at a worse time. We here at Fantastic Fireworks HQ will carry on the best we can in David's absence and hopefully will see him soon. Be Strong David!! Our thoughts are with you.
We have been without one of our Display Managers for 3 days now. David Willsher is currently battling the well-known killer that is 'Man Flu'. I'm sure all you men out there will sympathise with David at this time as he struggles on. He seems to have taken a turn for the worse although his doctors are optimistic that he will pull through. Taking him down in his prime and just before the season starts it couldn't have struck at a worse time. We here at Fantastic Fireworks HQ will carry on the best we can in David's absence and hopefully will see him soon. Be Strong David!! Our thoughts are with you.
18 Sept 2008
Birthday of a Legend
18 Sept 08, 7.35am
On this day in 1929 the English motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss was born. Anyone who knows me will know that I am obsessed with cars. I also admire people who have made a place for themselves in the history books. So today we salute Sir Stirling Moss, a man who comes from a time when men were men and when racing driving was even more dangerous than it is today!
On this day in 1929 the English motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss was born. Anyone who knows me will know that I am obsessed with cars. I also admire people who have made a place for themselves in the history books. So today we salute Sir Stirling Moss, a man who comes from a time when men were men and when racing driving was even more dangerous than it is today!
17 Sept 2008
Will radio kill the video stars?
17 Sept 08, 22.00
Watching the fireworks at the Paralympics closing ceremony in Beijing tonight reminded me of that amazing display which opened the Olympics back in August. 'How did they get those fireworks to explode simultaneously right across the skyline?' someone asked me. The truth turned out to be rather different to my hi-tec explanation. They were superimposed by China's TV bosses in order to maximise the spectacle. It made me wonder if the perfectly interlocking Olympic rings, also created in fireworks, was another piece of Chinese trickery. However I'm reliably told these effects were perfected in the United States where they are also working on putting microchips in shells which can be detonated by radio. Maybe by 2012 those perfectly synchronised starbursts will be the real thing. Let's hope they're ours!
Watching the fireworks at the Paralympics closing ceremony in Beijing tonight reminded me of that amazing display which opened the Olympics back in August. 'How did they get those fireworks to explode simultaneously right across the skyline?' someone asked me. The truth turned out to be rather different to my hi-tec explanation. They were superimposed by China's TV bosses in order to maximise the spectacle. It made me wonder if the perfectly interlocking Olympic rings, also created in fireworks, was another piece of Chinese trickery. However I'm reliably told these effects were perfected in the United States where they are also working on putting microchips in shells which can be detonated by radio. Maybe by 2012 those perfectly synchronised starbursts will be the real thing. Let's hope they're ours!
16 Sept 2008
Bon Anniversaire La Défense!
16 Sept 08, 21.33
Hello from Féérie, your pyro partners in France! We thought you would like to see our latest show in Paris to celebrate 50 years of La Défense: http://www.ladefense.fr/goodies_videos.php
Hello from Féérie, your pyro partners in France! We thought you would like to see our latest show in Paris to celebrate 50 years of La Défense: http://www.ladefense.fr/goodies_videos.php
RUFFed up by a dog called Bertie!
16 Sept 08 12.20
Designs coming out of my ears, I' m even dreaming fireworks at the moment and just when it's so busy you don't have time to think, my dog Bertie (big German Shepherd) finds a way to jump over the fence of his compound. He takes take delight in running through to the fireworks fusing area and mugging the fusers. We will be phoning as many firers as possible over the next few days to confirm their placements for the silly season. Back to designing.......
Designs coming out of my ears, I' m even dreaming fireworks at the moment and just when it's so busy you don't have time to think, my dog Bertie (big German Shepherd) finds a way to jump over the fence of his compound. He takes take delight in running through to the fireworks fusing area and mugging the fusers. We will be phoning as many firers as possible over the next few days to confirm their placements for the silly season. Back to designing.......
15 Sept 2008
Busman's holiday
15 Sept 08 17.38
Every now and again we like to give our hard-working senior firers a weekend off. But instead of relaxing at home they insist on taking a busman's holiday, watching other people's displays. They came in very excited this morning with video footage of what they'd seen. Ali went up to watch the excellent show put on by Pains Fireworks for the Thames Festival while Paul was in Birmingham for the Fireworks Fantazia display. He was most impressed by a giant Maltese Wheel which revolved in three dimensions. In any field of endeavour being inspired by what your peers are doing is all part of the creative drive to produce something even more breathtaking. As a result Rocket Park has been buzzing with energy today and we can't wait for the adrenaline-rush of our next round of displays this weekend.
Every now and again we like to give our hard-working senior firers a weekend off. But instead of relaxing at home they insist on taking a busman's holiday, watching other people's displays. They came in very excited this morning with video footage of what they'd seen. Ali went up to watch the excellent show put on by Pains Fireworks for the Thames Festival while Paul was in Birmingham for the Fireworks Fantazia display. He was most impressed by a giant Maltese Wheel which revolved in three dimensions. In any field of endeavour being inspired by what your peers are doing is all part of the creative drive to produce something even more breathtaking. As a result Rocket Park has been buzzing with energy today and we can't wait for the adrenaline-rush of our next round of displays this weekend.
14 Sept 2008
Bat out of Hell!!
14 Sept 08 20.41
A bat sanctuary, an ancient monument and a very tight urban site were just some of the more unusual problems we had to overcome in Leeds last night. The event was the city's annual open air concert at historic Kirkstall Abbey. Dave Mannion once again demonstrated his design & production skills with a show fired live to the finale of the 1812 Overture. With an excellent interpretation of the music and timed to perfection, the audience were blown away by a 3-minute show that started 350 metres downriver with a huge mine chase being closely followd by a sequence of shells representing the attack by the French armies. The rest of the show maintained the excitement, building to a storming climax. Well done to Dave & the Fantastic Fireworks northern team. BTW they are available for parties!!
A bat sanctuary, an ancient monument and a very tight urban site were just some of the more unusual problems we had to overcome in Leeds last night. The event was the city's annual open air concert at historic Kirkstall Abbey. Dave Mannion once again demonstrated his design & production skills with a show fired live to the finale of the 1812 Overture. With an excellent interpretation of the music and timed to perfection, the audience were blown away by a 3-minute show that started 350 metres downriver with a huge mine chase being closely followd by a sequence of shells representing the attack by the French armies. The rest of the show maintained the excitement, building to a storming climax. Well done to Dave & the Fantastic Fireworks northern team. BTW they are available for parties!!
13 Sept 2008
Coffee and doughnuts
13 Sept 08, 10.52
Saturday morning and the smell of fresh coffee pervades the Fantastic Fireworks office. It's a daily ritual at Rocket Park but today there is the bonus of doughnuts all round. Our super cleaning team of Lynne and Charlie are here making sure everything is neat and tidy for Monday morning. Lynne doesn't drink coffee but Charlie likes his espresso, which is handy because my Alessi grinds the beans and makes just two cups. As a gadgets person I'm thinking of buying a coffee roaster as well. Even if you don't like coffee the smell of freshly roasted beans is surely one of life's great aromas!
Saturday morning and the smell of fresh coffee pervades the Fantastic Fireworks office. It's a daily ritual at Rocket Park but today there is the bonus of doughnuts all round. Our super cleaning team of Lynne and Charlie are here making sure everything is neat and tidy for Monday morning. Lynne doesn't drink coffee but Charlie likes his espresso, which is handy because my Alessi grinds the beans and makes just two cups. As a gadgets person I'm thinking of buying a coffee roaster as well. Even if you don't like coffee the smell of freshly roasted beans is surely one of life's great aromas!
12 Sept 2008
Puppy gone fishing
12 Sept 08, 11.45
Friday is here and the end of another week. Only 54 days to go until the big day! I will be enjoying my weekend (weather permitting) cleaning out my pond whilst simultaneously trying to keep my puppy Louis out of it!
Friday is here and the end of another week. Only 54 days to go until the big day! I will be enjoying my weekend (weather permitting) cleaning out my pond whilst simultaneously trying to keep my puppy Louis out of it!
11 Sept 2008
Moments we all remember
11 Sept 08, 14.23
Remembering what you were doing at a particular moment in history is something we're all familar with. For the older generation the assassination of President Kennedy is the one that most readily springs to mind, while for younger people the death of Diana and the 9-11 attacks are still fresh in the memory. As we remember 9-11 today it's not hard to recall where you were and what you were doing at just after 2pm seven years ago. At Fantastic Fireworks we were still in our old office, with dial-up connections and preparing for our annual training course. The fear and tension caused by that outrage was almost palpable, even over here. When the Americans started to bomb Kabul just as we were about to begin our training display I decided to pull it for fear of aggravating local sensitivities. Sometimes one bang can be quite enough.
Remembering what you were doing at a particular moment in history is something we're all familar with. For the older generation the assassination of President Kennedy is the one that most readily springs to mind, while for younger people the death of Diana and the 9-11 attacks are still fresh in the memory. As we remember 9-11 today it's not hard to recall where you were and what you were doing at just after 2pm seven years ago. At Fantastic Fireworks we were still in our old office, with dial-up connections and preparing for our annual training course. The fear and tension caused by that outrage was almost palpable, even over here. When the Americans started to bomb Kabul just as we were about to begin our training display I decided to pull it for fear of aggravating local sensitivities. Sometimes one bang can be quite enough.
The Season is almost here!
11 Sept. 9.40am
As I sit and look out of the window of my new office I can see the rain falling down once more. I can also see the highly dedicated FF Site Team doing what they do best, working very hard in all weathers.
This week we welcomed our final addition to the Team. His name is Tom and to avoid confusion between Tom and myself the rest of the Team will now be referring to me by a new name which has yet to be decided. I have suggested "Sir" or "Boss", however I feel that their suggestions might be somewhat different!
As I sit and look out of the window of my new office I can see the rain falling down once more. I can also see the highly dedicated FF Site Team doing what they do best, working very hard in all weathers.
This week we welcomed our final addition to the Team. His name is Tom and to avoid confusion between Tom and myself the rest of the Team will now be referring to me by a new name which has yet to be decided. I have suggested "Sir" or "Boss", however I feel that their suggestions might be somewhat different!
10 Sept 2008
Today's the day
10 Sept 08, 11.43
A busy day ahead with contracts galore coming my way and the rattle of teaspoons from the kitchen as the TSO Training course candidates prepare for their mid morning break. This afternoon I'm off to see a man about a dog.....with my little dog Charlie (a nova scotia duck tolling retreiver cross no less) we're going for a consultation to see if we can stop Charlie biting people he doesn't like the look of! All leading up to the event of the year.......THE Fantastic Firework BBQ where the new stock will be showcased. Hope to see you all there.
A busy day ahead with contracts galore coming my way and the rattle of teaspoons from the kitchen as the TSO Training course candidates prepare for their mid morning break. This afternoon I'm off to see a man about a dog.....with my little dog Charlie (a nova scotia duck tolling retreiver cross no less) we're going for a consultation to see if we can stop Charlie biting people he doesn't like the look of! All leading up to the event of the year.......THE Fantastic Firework BBQ where the new stock will be showcased. Hope to see you all there.
9 Sept 2008
Annual Migration
09 Sept 08 12.45pm
The migration of birds provides a fascinating study of many aspects of the animal kingdom, some of which we still struggle to understand. How do birds navigate thousands of miles from one spot to another, often back to the exact same nest they left? Why do they do this?
Well moi, Chris Hutchison, has now migrated back to the very same place, Rocket Park, for the fourth year running. I flew (with the help of a couple of airplanes) 6000 miles from Sri Lanka where I have been working for the last seven months to my favourite pyrotechnic nesting place.
As with birds, it is a journey that is not easy to explain, defies some logical thinking, and is born of habit and need (my habit and FF's need). Also I anticipate it involves no mating or laying of eggs. But hey, in the wacky world of fireworks maybe I ought to maintain a flexible outlook.
Anyhows, I iz here and you can look forward to my company for the next 10 weeks or so.
Chris Hutchison
The migration of birds provides a fascinating study of many aspects of the animal kingdom, some of which we still struggle to understand. How do birds navigate thousands of miles from one spot to another, often back to the exact same nest they left? Why do they do this?
Well moi, Chris Hutchison, has now migrated back to the very same place, Rocket Park, for the fourth year running. I flew (with the help of a couple of airplanes) 6000 miles from Sri Lanka where I have been working for the last seven months to my favourite pyrotechnic nesting place.
As with birds, it is a journey that is not easy to explain, defies some logical thinking, and is born of habit and need (my habit and FF's need). Also I anticipate it involves no mating or laying of eggs. But hey, in the wacky world of fireworks maybe I ought to maintain a flexible outlook.
Anyhows, I iz here and you can look forward to my company for the next 10 weeks or so.
Chris Hutchison
8 Sept 2008
Happy Mondays
08 Sept 08, 11.45
Tennis isn't often the talk of the FF office but today is the exception. Andy Murray's brilliant win over Rafa Nadal last night has got everyone at Fantastic Fireworks enthusing. Having a British winner to cheer in international sport is such a morale-booster most of us have even forgotten it's Monday morning! What I most admire about Murray is his tenacity, his dogged determination to hang in there. We can all learn something from that. Even though he went into the game with a 0-5 record of defeats agains the World Number One, I always thought that sooner or later the tables would be turned. He's a year younger than Nadal and his star is still rising. It will be interesting to see who achieves the longer-term success.
Tennis isn't often the talk of the FF office but today is the exception. Andy Murray's brilliant win over Rafa Nadal last night has got everyone at Fantastic Fireworks enthusing. Having a British winner to cheer in international sport is such a morale-booster most of us have even forgotten it's Monday morning! What I most admire about Murray is his tenacity, his dogged determination to hang in there. We can all learn something from that. Even though he went into the game with a 0-5 record of defeats agains the World Number One, I always thought that sooner or later the tables would be turned. He's a year younger than Nadal and his star is still rising. It will be interesting to see who achieves the longer-term success.
7 Sept 2008
The Italian Job!!
07 Sep 08 09:27The setting may be Italy but Mini it wasn’t!! The olive groves and vineyards of Tuscany lit up with a chase of gold to celebrate a wedding that would match anything Hollywood could offer. To fire the show and create the spectacle a 100m sq area of ultra dry scrubland had to be scraped down to bare earth and the team worked all day to produce another ‘Fantastic’ result. (Watch out for the video update)…But now the current phase of my European campaign draws to an end and it's back to airport lounges and seats with no legroom as I make my way back to Manchester.
Thanks to all our partners, especially Paul at Nanos and Steve at Parente, who have made this a week to remember for us.
6 Sept 2008
Training the pyrotechnicians of tomorrow
06 Sept 09, 9.30am
The FF training room is buzzing with the excited chatter of our latest batch of trainee pyrotechnicians. Today we're holding a beginners' course (Cat 3 fireworks) in which we teach the firework fundamentals. It's great to see the enthusiasm of everyone and as usual the course is fully subscribed. We have people from all over the country, from scout leaders to individual enthusiasts eager to learn how to make the most of their display. After coffee and buns it's down to business. Ali is here to do the training part and Hayley, our retail sales manager, will chat about individual fireworks and what they do. There is always a fund of stories to exchange and during the breaks everyone relishes the chance to talk fireworks. As non-professionals, they can only buy domestic DIY fireworks eg rockets, romans candles and mines. The next step up is our Cat 4 (professional) course later this month. Out of each group we always find one or two who make the grade into our pool of professional firers.
The FF training room is buzzing with the excited chatter of our latest batch of trainee pyrotechnicians. Today we're holding a beginners' course (Cat 3 fireworks) in which we teach the firework fundamentals. It's great to see the enthusiasm of everyone and as usual the course is fully subscribed. We have people from all over the country, from scout leaders to individual enthusiasts eager to learn how to make the most of their display. After coffee and buns it's down to business. Ali is here to do the training part and Hayley, our retail sales manager, will chat about individual fireworks and what they do. There is always a fund of stories to exchange and during the breaks everyone relishes the chance to talk fireworks. As non-professionals, they can only buy domestic DIY fireworks eg rockets, romans candles and mines. The next step up is our Cat 4 (professional) course later this month. Out of each group we always find one or two who make the grade into our pool of professional firers.
5 Sept 2008
Temperatures Rising
Friday 05.09 15.28
The week is hotting up in more ways than one. As I waved Ali off back to the UK the temperature was around 26 and the word locally was that the fireworks had been just as hot. Following two and a half hour flight in the pleasant company of easyjet to Milan and a two hour drive to Tuscany Ifind myself baking in the mid thirties and looking forward to working with the guys from Parente tomorrow at another really hot venue. All the signs are that the weather will be perfect for tomorrows show - watch out for further instalments that will be posted Sunday.
The week is hotting up in more ways than one. As I waved Ali off back to the UK the temperature was around 26 and the word locally was that the fireworks had been just as hot. Following two and a half hour flight in the pleasant company of easyjet to Milan and a two hour drive to Tuscany Ifind myself baking in the mid thirties and looking forward to working with the guys from Parente tomorrow at another really hot venue. All the signs are that the weather will be perfect for tomorrows show - watch out for further instalments that will be posted Sunday.
4 Sept 2008
Rain, Rain go away........
04 Sept 08. 9.28
Yet another wet and cloudy day fills the skies above Rocket Park. Thankfully we are all far too busy to notice the weather as we concentrating on getting everything ready for the impending season. It will take far more than rain to slow down the FF Team.
"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet" - Roger Miller
Yet another wet and cloudy day fills the skies above Rocket Park. Thankfully we are all far too busy to notice the weather as we concentrating on getting everything ready for the impending season. It will take far more than rain to slow down the FF Team.
"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet" - Roger Miller
3 Sept 2008
The Greek Gods smile on us
03 Sept 08, 6.45am
The call came in at about half past midnight this morning. Our Greek Odyssey has been blessed by the Gods. Aeolus stopped the wind, Poseidon calmed the sea and Dionysus said let the party start. It had been a tense day out on Mykonos with high winds threatening to blow out the candles at the biggest birthday bash of the year. But just before midnight the wind abated and Steve & Ali were mighty relieved to see the show go up as planned. 'Absolutely ******* amazing,' said one highly delighted client afterwards. Some big thanks are owed here to Jeremy Cooper at Olio Media who patientlly edited and re-edited the soundtrack of our opera-loving client's favourite arias; to Paul at Nanos Pyrotechnics in Athens for supplying the crew and equipment; and to Riccardo for having the faith in Fantastic Fireworks to deliver another awesome display. While Ali heads back to design a stack of upcoming home displays, Steve is packing his bags for Florence. Before he leaves the playground of the rich, I must remind him of that old joke 'What's a Grecian Urn?'
The call came in at about half past midnight this morning. Our Greek Odyssey has been blessed by the Gods. Aeolus stopped the wind, Poseidon calmed the sea and Dionysus said let the party start. It had been a tense day out on Mykonos with high winds threatening to blow out the candles at the biggest birthday bash of the year. But just before midnight the wind abated and Steve & Ali were mighty relieved to see the show go up as planned. 'Absolutely ******* amazing,' said one highly delighted client afterwards. Some big thanks are owed here to Jeremy Cooper at Olio Media who patientlly edited and re-edited the soundtrack of our opera-loving client's favourite arias; to Paul at Nanos Pyrotechnics in Athens for supplying the crew and equipment; and to Riccardo for having the faith in Fantastic Fireworks to deliver another awesome display. While Ali heads back to design a stack of upcoming home displays, Steve is packing his bags for Florence. Before he leaves the playground of the rich, I must remind him of that old joke 'What's a Grecian Urn?'
2 Sept 2008
This floating fortress is just the job
02 Sept 08, 11.05am
Greetings from the sunny Aegean. You'd think this was a haven of tranquility but right now we're being buffeted by galeforce winds. We knew that's often the case out here so the barge we've hired for tonight's show is big enough to withstand anything up to Force 7 and we're not unduly worried. The boys have made good progress with getting the show loaded and Ali and I can't wait to see it all happen. We'll let you know in about 13 hours' time!
Greetings from the sunny Aegean. You'd think this was a haven of tranquility but right now we're being buffeted by galeforce winds. We knew that's often the case out here so the barge we've hired for tonight's show is big enough to withstand anything up to Force 7 and we're not unduly worried. The boys have made good progress with getting the show loaded and Ali and I can't wait to see it all happen. We'll let you know in about 13 hours' time!
1 Sept 2008
The Young Ones!
1 Sept 08, 1.54pm
Today we salute the young and the even younger. Congratulations first to our tennis prodigy Jordan Gazard who we sponsor. Still aged only 14, Jordan has just won the Bedfordshire Under 16s title and reached the semi-finals of the Under 18 tournament. Well done Jordan! At the higher end of the scale our senior firer Paul Roberts is the grand-daddy of fireworks in every sense. Paul is not only one of the most experienced and talented figures in the industry, but at the tender age of 45 he is a grandfather three times and rising! Paul's two shows at the weekend, for the Bournemouth Air Show and Newham's Olympic-themed open air concert drew massive praise from the organisers. Keep up the good work Paul!
Today we salute the young and the even younger. Congratulations first to our tennis prodigy Jordan Gazard who we sponsor. Still aged only 14, Jordan has just won the Bedfordshire Under 16s title and reached the semi-finals of the Under 18 tournament. Well done Jordan! At the higher end of the scale our senior firer Paul Roberts is the grand-daddy of fireworks in every sense. Paul is not only one of the most experienced and talented figures in the industry, but at the tender age of 45 he is a grandfather three times and rising! Paul's two shows at the weekend, for the Bournemouth Air Show and Newham's Olympic-themed open air concert drew massive praise from the organisers. Keep up the good work Paul!
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