21 replies to this topic

[Mortartube]

Arthur, I do (or did) find garden stuff exciting. When we had a crackling cauldron that was an isolated one off fountain in the selection. A red or green fountain. Traffic lights etc. Wonderful stuff.

The only Chinese fountains I could watch a lot are either Cuckoo-Cuckoo or Silvery Flowers. Both wonderful. But these are proper fountains, not a tiny little fountain stuck with PVA into a big tube.

[David]

To be fair, there ARE decent Chinese selection boxes. I liked the old Men Shun entry level one- I think about 13 fireworks, including two flares, a few cracklers, a couple of roman candles and some colour/mixed effect stuff, including one like an indoor fountain which was pretty. VERY tame, but thats cool.


The problem is that there are a lot of very poor selction boxes, often touted on buy on get one free deals.

Edited by David, 20 April 2009 - 04:15 AM.

[Manchester Fireworks]

Small fireworks are allways popular with people who do not have a large garden or have small children who they want to get used to fireworks rather than setting off a cake and having them in tears.

The way that bangers and bottle rockets have been phased out is a case of the nanny state thinking it is protecting people when in reality any firework in the wrong hands can be lethal so why phase out some and not others.

I say small fireworks in the right situation can be just as much fun as larger fireworks as long as people use them correctly.

www.manchester-fireworks.com

[Manchester Fireworks]

Small fireworks are allways popular with people who do not have a large garden or have small children who they want to get use to fireworks rather than setting off a cake and having them in tears.<BR>
<BR>
The way that bangers and bottle rockets have been phased out is a case of the nanny state thinking it is protecting people when in reality any firework in the wrong hands can be lethal so why phase out some and not others.<BR>
<BR>
I say small fireworks in the right situation can be just as much fun as larger fireworks as long as people use them correctly.<BR><BR><A href="

www.manchester-fireworks.com

Edited by Manchester Fireworks, 27 April 2009 - 11:00 AM.

[Mortartube]

I enjoy small fireworks when they are well made and varied. I have fired large shells etc and whilst they are very nice, you don't get close to the effect like you do with cat 2 stuff. A small iron fountain (with decent high carbon iron) close up is beautiful but the effect would be lost at a greater distance. BTW modern steel is crud for sparks compared to the old stuff. If you can get hold of some steel from a mid 60's car or earlier this is usually much better as it was produced with a Bessemer converter and has a better carbon content.

[MrFinster]

one of my first memories of fireworks was a "garden selection box", a standards fireworks size 22 i think it was
my utter favourite being the firefly (still is!), its because these little treasures have gone that has made me want to learn more about the pyro involved and eventually to recreate the contents for my grand daughter.(and a little bit for myself )

i agree with whats been said that when you buy a modern box, there all pretty much of a muchness and i find them a tad boring after the first half dozen, but i too find the report of a 6 inch shell exciting form the launch, the anticipation during ascent and finally the pretty burst.

personally i feel that we are missing something by the lack of those little back garden fireworks, i remember the delighted squeals of my son on bonfire night, absolutely priceless. seeing as they are not all "airbombs", how can they be considered as a nusiance. its a bizarre decision.

my two penneth,

[David]

Maybe not this year, but over time we might see more smaller/cheaper items coming in, to suppliment ranges - I'd hope so!