5 replies to this topic

[David]

I picked up a couple of Cat 2, British Made Kimbolton fireworks - little cones- and how lovely they were! Not brash of crackling, just pleasant, long lasting (for the size) little fountains. I paid £1 each, so there perhaps is potential, in the long run, for a British made selection box. Well, maybe.

[concept]

Where did you buy those from David? I think if Kimbolton did make high quality British-made selection box, containing all the old favorites then it would be popular with the general public. As long as the price is not too high and it was marketed the right way ie "British made fireworks" on the box ect then people would buy them. Maybe if they went along the lines of Brocks in the early 90’s with “British in best”. Although I can’t see it happening any time soon I’m sure the Rev would like to see British consumer firework again.

Cheers Doug

[David]

I got them from Firework Factory, in Lancaster. They were wrapped in what looked like shiny wallpaper, with a slightly different style of fuse. Very nice!

It's possible they were an older line, as I don't see them on the website for Kimbolton.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Where did you buy those from David? I think if Kimbolton did make high quality British-made selection box, containing all the old favorites then it would be popular with the general public. As long as the price is not too high and it was marketed the right way ie "British made fireworks" on the box ect then people would buy them. Maybe if they went along the lines of Brocks in the early 90’s with “British in best”. Although I can’t see it happening any time soon I’m sure the Rev would like to see British consumer firework again.

Cheers Doug

I would love to spend a few hours interviewing the rev on this subject myself,...I think it may well be possible to manufacture a range of british garden fireworks with some new styling based around simple 2 or 3 colour artwork,.....providing its done on a small scale with limited overheads under a small manufactures license at some time in the future.

[Mortartube]

Kimbolton used to do quite a range of their own fountains in the early 1990's. I recall one called Forge Fire which I believe was an iron fountain and one called Emerald ???? possibly Emerald Storm. They were a little expensive but very good and typically British like old Standard or Brocks in effects and performance.

Many of the squat fountains had large mesh compositions to slow the burn rate and were just shaken down rather than compressed. The Emerald one certainly was (If I recall it had large mesh shellac and red gum in the mix also possibly woodmeal). This does give scope for quick and easy large scale manufacture.

Sandling fireworks used to import some good little fountains from New Zealand if I recall correctly. These were also very good, not quite Kimbolton but a lot more like British traditional than the Chinese selection we get now.

[phildunford]

Like many here, I'd love to see more UK made fireworks. I think the stumbling blocks are:

Cost of insurance for UK manufacturers

Cost of obtaining 'type approval' for a new design.

The engine that will eventually drive change will no doubt be the inevitable increase in the cost of Chinese material when their workers start to get a living wage and a Western life style.