Fattened up for Christmas!!

Wed 31st Dec 08, 13.00.
Hello everyone & Happy New Year (well almost!) It seems I have the honour of the very last Fantastic Fireworks blog of 2008. I hope you are all looking forward to the New Year and that you’ve all had a fabulous Christmas – I know I did! I received some lovely presents and have eaten my way through monstrous amounts of yummy food! I see from previous blogs that poor Tom received the extra special gift of Man-Flu for Christmas – well I think my most unwanted present has to be the 27stone I feel I have put on over the last few days! Thankfully no-one else is in the office right now to see me sat here in my pyjama's... they were all I could find to fit me this morning.

As I sit here, roly-poly -ing about my desk, it’s got me thinking about New Years Resolutions. Mine is going to be (as usual) to eat more healthily, do more exercise, and get that washboard stomach we all secretly dream of at long last! I’ve not quite managed it so far, but who knows, 2009 could just be the year...

It makes me wonder what New Years Resolutions everybody else is aiming for this year? Please do share – especially if they are more adventurous (or at least slightly more achievable) than my own! I will look forward to reading them... ;o)

It's Mother's Resting Day

Monday 29th Dec, 08, 10.06
I hope this day finds you all well, not suffering too much from the over-indulgence of Christmas. I was impatient, waiting for the family to wake up on Christmas morning to open their presents (we did have a late night Christmas Eve) . I wonder how many of you still have to hide presents from the big kids?? and l do mean the big kids !! I have to put colours on ours but no names. The Big kids in my family will press, squeeze & shake all the parcels just to see if they can guess what they are, will they receive whatever was on their wish lists ? It was a lazy day for me Boxing Day, getting ready for the next 5 days in the Fantastic Fireworks retail shop. I shall be eagerly awaiting our regular & new customers coming in for their New Year's Eve fireworks,
which brings me to wishing everyone a good holiday & a Very Happy New Year. I hope to see you all soon.
Tina

The Unwanted Present.

Sat 27 Dec 08, 11.50am
Every year Santa comes and gives presents to all the people on earth and this year was no exception. This year Santa brought me an early Christmas present, The Flu. Thanks Santa!
Yes I have been struck down with the dreaded Flu virus since Christmas Eve and today is a good day as I have finally got my voice back after not having it for 2 days.
Apart from feeling rubbish all Christmas I did have a very nice Christmas Day back on the Parents Farm where all the usual festive traditions were had including Turkey, Presents and The Doctor Who Christmas Special.
So before I head off to take even more medicine and down yet another bottle of Lucozade I will take this opportunity to wish all the Fantastic Fireworks Blog readers a very Happy New Year and I will see you all next year.

Merry Christmas & Farewell for now...

23rd December 2008, 12:30pm

Well it's Christmas Eve's Eve and we are all busily scurrying around the office, finishing off those last few jobs before we can close up for the holiday season. The office is looking very festive, and we all can't wait to tuck into the veritable feast that Tina has kindly prepared for us all! (I think we'll all easily go home a stone heavier than when we arrived today!) There is a huge box upstairs groaning under the weight of the assorted - and somewhat curiously shaped(!!) - Secret Santa presents. I can't wait to see what everyone's got... I just hope there's not too many tears or blushing!

I have been with Fantastic Fireworks for 3 months now and am still enjoying every minute of it, thanks to all the lovely people I work with. I just want to wish you all the Merriest of Christmas's and look forward to seeing you all in 2009 x

The 12 Days of Christmas

Monday Dec 22nd 12.47pm
Thank you Emma for providing the following insight into life as a firer:
So while I was heading home from Bush Hall last night, having consumed a near-illegal quantity of Beecham’s Flu Plus, I needed something to keep my highly caffeinated brain occupied while I drove 150 miles down the M4. And I came up with the 12 days of Christmas, Fantastic style – thought it might give you a giggle.

To be sung to the traditional tune…

On the 12th Day of Christmas, Fantastic Fireworks gave to me…
Twelve five-inch tubes,
Eleven Ginster’s Pasties,
Ten candle frames,
Nine cable ties,
Eight hanks of match,
Seven rolls of gaffer,
Six cups of tea,
Five feet of grey…
Four firing orders,
Three cake boards,
Two garden rakes,
And a Travel Lodge on the M3…

Wispa makes a sparkling return

21 Dec 08, 1.03am

A big thank you and well done to everyone from Fantastic Fireworks who took part in the Wispa TV commercial, which was aired last night. Paul Roberts & his team were but a few of the 300 volunteers whose efforts were squeezed into 90 seconds of colourful capers to celebrate the return of the chocolate bar. We can all be proud of the fact that the fireworks occupied a full 30 seconds and looked absolutely stunning. Perhaps the best moment was seeing the Wispa name sparkling away centre stage. This was made at our Rocket Park HQ by one of our new technicians, Turney Logan, who can be delighted at seeing his handiwork on prime time TV. To view the commercial, click here.

We Three Kings

20 Dec 08, 11.49am
Around this time on a Saturday morning I'd usually be listening to Jonathan Ross on Radio 2. Today it's Liza Tarbuck and it's not quite the same. Liza has a pleasant homely style but there was something matey about Jonathan & Andy's banter that made their Saturday show worth tuning into. I hope they're back on air soon. Waiting to see how long Liza could hold my attention, I heard her talking about how in Roman times everyone had to eat cabbage to fight off illness. OK it's this sort of 'factoid' that makes Steve Wright so enjoyable but it wasn't rivetting enough to keep me hanging on for more. I turned over to Radio 4 to find Ian Hislop also talking about the Roman Empire. A slightly odd coincidence but I decided to give it a chance. We Three Kings investigated the origins of the Christmas story and its modern day symbol of present-giving. Ian Hislop has this wonderful ability to draw the listener into his journey with images we can all understand. He drew the parallel between the Kings bearing gifts and today's Christmas cracker with its own symbolic gift, the hat you wear like a crown and the joke which, like the Christmas message, fills us with tidings of great joy. Hislop is an excellent broadcaster with a great sense of comic timing. Radio 2 should give him the Saturday morning show!

(New Improved) Desert Island Dreams (3)

19 Dec 08, 8.38pm
My castaway this week is someone who, prior to joining Fantastic Fireworks, spent several years in France. Today she has swapped the country of Napoleon for the the challenge of marshalling our display teams and giving them their marching orders. France remains a strong influence in the life of Linda Sherriff, as we will shortly find out. So Linda, how do you feel about being cast away?

'Well Kirsty, I mean Jon, I’d be quite happy on a Desert Island, for a while anyway. No washing, shopping, cleaning, working….in fact it’s starting to sound quite appealing, especially if the Island is warm and sunny! I’d have to take my memory foam mattress with me, don’t mind roaming about during the day hunting for food and water but do need a good night's sleep.'

And now tell us your eight choices...

Celine Dion: My Heart Will Go On & On Ne Change Pas. My favourite easy listening artist which I sing along to in the car, unfortunately not quite as well as Celine!
Jean Jacques Goldman: La Bas & Puisque Tu Pars : I could pick any of his songs but particularly like these 2 ballads, Fond memories of his concert in Vincennes, Paris swaying with the crowd with my cigarette lighter aloft!
The Pogues & Kirsty McCall: A Fairytale of New York. Had to pick one Christmas classic and this is my all time favourite.
Queen: Killer Queen & Bohemian Rhapsody. Such classics and I’m proud to own the Bohemian Rhapsody single from 1975 (for those of you who remember the good old days of records!!)
Squeeze: Cool for Cats & Up The Junction. Another one from my record collection is Cool for Cats in Pink Vinyl….now how cool is that!!
James Blunt: Wiseman
Abba: Andante Andante, Fernando & Waterloo. An absolute Abba fanatic in my youth, couldn’t possible just pick one of their songs as a favourite. Delighted to see their revival with the launch of Mama Mia the musical and the film which is brilliant.
Etienne Daho: Des Attractions Desastre

Well Linda Sherriff, by my reckoning that is 13 tracks, which is a diabolical liberty, but I'll let you off. Thank you for letting us share your Desert Island Dreams.

Dear Santa

18 Dec 08, 5.20 pm
I've tried to be a good firer this year, really I have, but my equipment just doesn't seem to be up to the job. So here is my Xmas list for 2008:

1. Nips that cut when I want to cut and pull when I want to pull and not the other way round
2. Suit of armour (for displays on golf driving ranges)
3. Sea sickness pills (for the Bournemouth barge)
4. Waterproof trousers which are really waterproof
5. A SatNav which knows when to shut up and not state the bleedin' obvious **
6. Ever-Ready batteries which really are
7. Thermal underwear that makes a fashion statement
8. Ear defenders that remember to put themselves on before the show starts
9. A head torch that points where my hands are, not six inches to the left
10. And finally - a good night's sleep in November !

** Feel free to use this en route if Rudolph has a cold like last year when you couldn't find my house.

The Songs of Leonard Cohen

17 Dec 08, 6.38pm
The song of the week is undoubtedly Hallelujah. But sitting at home writing the Fantastic Fireworks blog the version I'm listening to is not by X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke but by its original performer and composer, Leonard Cohen. It's not one of my favourite Cohen songs but it's another example of the depth of his repertoire. A couple of years ago I was listening to Desert Island discs when Kim Cattrall included another lesser known Cohen gem, Closing Time, as one of her eight choices. But for all those of us who remember Cohen's debut album The Songs of Leonard Cohen, released in 1967, songs like So Long Marianne, Suzanne & Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye are the ones we grew up with. There was an excellent Radio 4 programme recently entitled Leonard & Marianna which charted the the early life of a struggling Canadian poet and his Norwegian muse on the Greek island of Hydra. It inspired one of popular music's most emotive love songs. So Long Marianne, it's time we began, to laugh and cry, and cry and laugh, about it all again.

Strong Minded Women

16 Dec 2008 1423hrs
Last Friday driving through Kensworth on my way to work when I heard Kensworth mentioned on Radio 5. The local village shop, which I was just passing, had been invaded by two masked thugs holding10 inch knives. Instead of giving in to the threats of the knife wielding yobs the small lady serving in the shop threw her hot tea over one and smashed the empty mug into the face of the other. They ran off taking very little with them.

On my way home tonight I think I shall take some flowers for her. Long live strong minded women.

Sweet Charity

Monday 15th Dec 10.35am
We start off the week at Rocket Park with a dreary, foggy morning. Luckily the weather was more chipper yesterday whilst our very own Fantastic Fireworks Santa (AKA Tom) did his bit for charity and ran 3 miles dressed as Father Christmas in just 26 minutes! Not knowing Luton very well, I was not sure we were in the right place to begin with, until I saw a few hundred jolly Santas running along the road. Not being a keen runner myself, I joined a few other staff members and went along to Wardown Park to support Tom's efforts and cheered from the sidelines. It was a sterling performance and Tom has suceeded in raising over £100 for the Pasque charity. Perhaps this will inspire a few others to join Tom in next year's race?

When Harry Met Sir Ally

14 Dec 08, 7.56am
There were no fireworks and if Shakespeare had been writing the headline in The Sun it might have read Match Ado About Nothing-Nothing. But as a guest at last night's 0-0 draw between Spurs and Manchester United I loved every minute. Seeing top stars like Cristiano Ronaldo & the £30 million Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov is every true football fan's dream. But it was United's J S Park (who cost just £4 million) who caught my eye. He was absolutely tiresless, buzzing like a hornet on the left, then on the right, then back in defence. No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson played him the full 90 minutes. By contrast Spurs' inspirational boss Harry Redknapp, is making the best of limited resources. He's revived the morale of a team who had lost all self-belief. I wonder if, given Sir Alex's spending power, he could have achieved the same success. At the age 0f 62, we'll probably never know. Well that's my Sunday football sermon over for the day. I shall soon be off to watch our very own human dynamo Tom Clark run himself into the ground. This morning's Santa Run at Wardown Park, Luton, is in aid of the Pasque Charity and we're pleased to be part of it.

A present from the past

13 Dec 08, 08, 11.01am
A very fine bottle of claret is sitting on my desk. At this festive time of the year it's very tempting to open it. But this is no ordinary claret. It was brought in the other day by Tina, our office angel (who cooks, sows and generally looks after us). Chevalier Fantastic Fireworks 1996 is probably the only remaining unopened bottle from a case I bought some 10 years ago and gave as Christmas presents to our staff. Tina found it while clearing out the bedroom of her recently departed son and ex-FF employee, Scott, and thought I might like to have it back. Rather than drink it I've decided to have it framed and mounted in Reception as a souvenir of the 20th Century.

How exciting!

12 Dec 2008 13:46
I was pleasantly surprised to find petrol for about 87p per litre last night. That's quite a drop from what we were all paying a few months ago. I have no idea why the price of fuel has come down so much recently, has it just become cheaper or have they suddenly found more oil?

As I was filling up the Louis van I thought about how much I paid for petrol when first started driving 6 years ago and I can't actually remember paying much less than 87p. That's brilliant and if it hadn't of been for a van with a leaky petrol tank I might have put more in than £10!

Do you remember what fuel cost when you first started driving?

A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity

11 Dec 08, 3:30pm
On this cold and frosty day at Rocket Park the Display & Retail teams have been busy attending a very interesting training course, lead by the lovely Ali. I now know all sorts about fireworks and fusing that I didn’t before, and feel I can now chat to our wonderful Firers with a little more confidence! Though as interesting and exciting as I found the training to be, I am very thankful today has been theory based only! On comfy chairs in our warm & dry training room was certainly the best place to be, and I think I may just wait for a warm spring or summers day before I move onto the practical part outside! ;o)

In the meantime I am looking forward to a few days off from the office. I have mountains of Christmas shopping, Christmas card writing and Christmas tree decorating to be getting on with – Tina’s sparkly decorations in the office have certainly put me to shame and I fear it may be 2009 before I get mine done!! Even though I won’t be in the office it seems I just can’t keep myself away from Fantastic Fireworks related activities... On Sunday, Jon and I will be a two-person cheerleading squad for Tom’s Santa Run at Wardown Park, in aid of The Pasque Hospice. Please come along if you are free and wish to show your support to Tom and this fantastic cause. As well as the chance to watch Tom break the world land-speed record in a Santa suit, you may also get to witness us cheerleaders performing an extravagant pom-pom dance routine at the finish line....... I’m not guaranteeing it will happen... but do you really want to run the risk of missing out if it does...?

Dave draws the short straw on the 18th floor

10 Dec 08, 10.43pm
No wonder Fantastic Fireworks people are a hardy breed. Apart from getting cold and wet there are many other hazards lying in wait - and that's not including the fireworks. We heard recently about James and Emma getting locked out on the roof of a tower block in Portsmouth. Tonight it was Dave Mannion's turn to suffer a tower failure. He was on the 18th floor of a Sheffield office block for a display to celebrate the reopening of the city's Lady's Bridge. After impressing the large crowd with a super show, Dave and his team were looking forward to getting their gear back down the same way as it came up - by the lift. That was before they discovered that the lift operator had finished work & gone home! Several trips up and down 18 flight of stairs later they finally completed the de-rig. Dave, I hope you sleep soundly tonight because you're out on another show in Salford tomorrow. The good news is that this one is on terra firma. After tonight's experience that will suit you right down to the ground!

SANTA 81

09 Dec 08, 10.40am

This Sunday 14th December at Wardown Park in Luton The Pasque Charity ''Santa Run'' will be taking place. Fantastic Fireworks has entered a Team into this run and that Team is ME! I dont want your money but I do want your support. So if you fancy a good laugh at my expense or if you really do want to help by cheering me along then be at Wardown Park on Sunday. The race starts at 11.00 am which means that I will no doubt be in Hospital by 11.30 am.

Come on Number 81!

Wispa - it's a wrap!

08 Dec 08, 10.55pm
The film is in the can, now we just have to wait until December 20th to see it on TV. Filming fireworks for the Wispa commercial was never going to be a stroll and by 9.30pm tonight our senior firer Paul Roberts was wondering if he'd ever get home. His day had started at 5.30am when he set off for work from his home in the Midlands. He arrived at Rocket Park, the head office of Fantastic Fireworks, at 7.30am and made sure the vans were correctly loaded for the trip to Alexandra Palace. The rest of the team arrived a couple of hours later and by midday they were setting up for the 6pm scheduled start to the show. This was to provide the closing scene for a 90-second commercial celebrating the return of the Cadbury's chocolate bar. Like all good parties this one overran the expected finish time. But when the Wispa logo finally lit up to put a sparkling full stop to the fireworks, everyone agreed it had been worth the wait.

The Eiffel's still an eyeful

07 Dec 08, 10.01am
The fireworks on the Eiffel Tower on Millennium Eve raised the bar in pyrotechnic creativity. Granted the Australians created a similar visual impact on Sydney Harbour Bridge but for many the Paris display by the French company Groupe F is the one we all remember. I was reminded of it again last night while admiring Paris's stunning Christmas lights (the new must-have this year is a brilliant snowfall effect created by LED tubes suspended in trees). The base of the Eiffel Tower is bedecked in a myriad of lights celebrating France's commitment to the European Union and every hour it sparkles from top to bottom in a light show which lets everyone know who's the boss. It's not fireworks but it's a still a magical sight.

Don't call the police!

06 Dec 08, 7.42am
The coffee & croissants aboard this morning's Eurostar to Paris don't match up to my usual Saturday morning fare at Fantastic Fireworks. My freshly ground, dark roast Arabica beans make a far more pungent espressso and the croissants are cold and stodgy. I'm already missing my doughnuts! Which reminds me. When I called in at our local bakers last week to collect the usual Saturday morning order, I told them that if ever I were not to turn up, they were to call the police. I forgot to mention this weekend's jaunt. I hope they didn't take me seriously!

Back to reality

05 Dec 08, 10.30am
Yesterday morning I woke up in Hong Kong and then went to sleep in Dunstable after a massive day of travel. So here I am back at Fantastic Fireworks filling people in on the story of my big China adventure. It has been a manic two weeks in which I have seen some amazing fireworks and some even more amazing sights. Next week I will be filling everyone in at length with a full report. However for now I am going to check my emails and then get some much needed sleep.

All for the love of Wispa

04 Dec 08, 3.43pm
While Steve & Tom make their weary way home from China, life at Fantastic Fireworks continues to fizz. Just as we thought the pyro-pace would slacken after November, a call from the Cadburys Wispa team has changed all that. Could we help with the shooting of a major Christmas TV commercial promoting the return of Britain's favourite chocolate bar? You bet! On Monday, Paul and a team of eager volunteers (thanks Dick, Justin, Rino & co) will be at a top secret location in North London preparing a spectacular final scene. The 90-second commercial will take the form of a celebration party featuring all sorts of amazing scenes and characters. It will be screened during Family Fortunes on ITV on December 20th. The commercial is the culmination of a campaign by Wispa in which thousands of people have made pledges. I'll keep everyone posted with an update on Tuesday. In the meantime thanks to all at Wispa for sending us a stash. With an office full of chocoholics they'd all disappeared by the time I asked for one.

Fight off those winter chills

03 Dec 08, 2.28pm
As we are targeted one by one by the dreaded lurgy that is sweeping the Fantastic Fireworks office (David is the latest victim...) nothing is better than a good old mulled wine to warm you up and fight off the winter chills.
You will need:
2 (or as many as you want!!) x 75 cl bottles medium to full-bodied red wine (Bulgarian Cabernet Sauvignon is ideal)
1 orange stuck with cloves
2 oranges sliced
2 lemons sliced
6 level tablespoons granulated sugar or honey
2 inch (5 cm) piece cinnamon stick
2 level teaspoons finely grated fresh root ginger or ground ginger
2 tablespoons fruit liqueur such as Cointreau, Grand Marnier or cherry brandy (optional)
Put all the ingredients in a saucepan with 2½ pints (1.5 litres) water then heat to simmering point, stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Keep it barely at simmering point for at least 20 minutes – but do not boil or all the alcohol will evaporate.
Then pour yourself a glass, phone your boss, say you've been struck down with the flu and won't be in work and enjoy!!!

And now the end is near.........

02 Dec 08, 2.30pm
As hard as it is for me to believe, our China tour is now coming to an end. When I return to the UK I will of course be bringing with me news of all the new exciting effects and developments in the Pyro World that I have seen during my time here. I will also be bringing back with me a new found love and respect for China and the people here. I can honestly say that throughout all of my travels around the world I have never been made to feel more welcome. On a personal note I will take this opportunity to say hello and a big thank you to Lena who was my amazing Translator.

See you all soon.

Fireworks Fauna

1st Dec 08, 5.15 pm
Just down the road from Fantastic Fireworks there is a regular display venue where most firers have performed at one time or another. It's a nice little site, quite small shows, but a good training ground, and very relaxing after the hurly burly of the main season.

It also has one (or rather three) unique features - Alpacas. These llama-like creatures occupy the adjacent field which provides access to the firing site. Far from being bothered by the comings and goings or even the fireworks themselves, they are intensely curious, and should an unwary crew leave the van open or park in a careless manner, they are likely to return to find one or more of the alpacas with their heads in the back perusing the pyro or idly chewing on the windscreen wipers.

Over the years, these animals have winessed dozens of displays, and so by now are quite competent critics and show designers. They line up to watch each display, and if you listen very carefully you can sometimes hear them whispering to each other afterwards - "Nice cakes. Shame about the finale though - bloody brocades again !"