One down, 105 to go!

Sat 31st Oct 09, 00.20
The first day of the firework season is a bit like the opening day of the pheasant season. A lot of shots are fired and colourful objects fall out of the sky! There was plenty to admire at Gunwharf Quays last night with the first of 106 displays we'll be firing in the coming days. Paul Roberts and his team delighted the large audience who gathered on the quayside at Portsmouth for our 'Spooky Space' theme spectacular. From the opening sequence of red flares which signalled an invasion from Mars to the tumbling gold brocades which filled the sky for the finale, the show brought a huge round of applause. Gunwharf Quays events manager John Sackett congratulated FF's display manager Hayley Maddin for the quality of the display & the detailed planning that went into it.

Dish of the day

Wed 21st Oct 09, 9.15pm

With more than 100 displays to prepare, our indefatigable team of fireworkers have been flat out these past few weeks. It's hard work, long hours and occasional long faces. But not tonight. Thanks to our two domestic goddesses Hayley & Kate, the troops are in high spirits. They have just been served a dish fit for the kings of quickmatch. Mushrooms, mince, chillis, tomatoes and peppers were lovingly sliced, diced and then gently cooked into a sizzling dish as mouthwatering as one of our double-break red ring & colour changing brocade crown shells with palmcore heart and silver pistils. Well done Hayley, well done Kate. You are truly the Angels of the South!

Blown away

Monday 12th Oct 09, 10.22pm
All the effort, all the hope & all for nothing. It was a very dejected & downbeat FF team who headed home today after our show at the British Musical Fireworks Championship was cancelled on Sunday night because of bad weather. Steve Boothman and Dave Mannion had spent most of this year preparing our bid. On the day they were helped by dozens of FF crew who descended on Southport to set up the final show of the seven scheduled over the weekend. However the strong wind which blew up during the day just wouldn't die down and the decision to cancel both Sunday shows, ours and Star's, was taken 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Commiserations to everyone concerned, a big thank you to all the Fantastic Fireworks crew who worked so hard & well done to Flashpoint Fireworks who were awarded the prize for being the best of the five shows which did take place. We'll be back!