66 replies to this topic

[Arthur Brown]

Many thanks to the Committee for making this AGM happen. The formal bit is essential, the fireworks are nice and the informal chatting adds so much to the forum.

Let's hope that the venue for the next AGM suits our purposes for meeting space, meal space and firing space and all that for cheap! Who has a suitable venue available....

[crystal palace fireworks]

Perhaps another idea is to expand our AGM get togethers to one of the large dedicated firework display events (stanford Hall or belvoir castle) or at a county fayre, our society would attract publicity by being included in the official programme.

Also why not create a close-up view point of the display by errecting blast screening close to the firing area providing persons wear suitable PPE and who are marshalled by a competent person and sign a disclaimer. new UKPS members who sign up on the day could enter a draw to become one of the lucky few.

As others have said, existing UKPS members can help with physically setting up the display under supervision of a competent person (in small groups), then you could have a seperate demonstration fusing session under supervision whereby again only competent persons are allowed to handle the actual live materials.

We could even set up a food stand selling hot dogs/burgars, jacket potatoes, drinks etc (food handling certificate/ public liability insurance needed) to sell to the public to raise money to pay for future events., obviously this would be discounted for existing UKPS members.

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 11 April 2011 - 07:53 AM.

[Epic Fireworks]

Here is the footage of the firework display -

[phildunford]

A two day event would certainly solve a lot of the problems. My only concern would be would it reduce the numbers coming?

[megabusa]

My take on it ....

I had a great day. It was nice to meet people & put names to faces, my only criticism here is that not all people had their forum names clearly on show, so it was not immediately obvious who was who.

The talks were interesting & well put together & I learned a lot.
A special 'Well Done' to Max, a great presentation. It takes a lot of nerve for a 17 year old to stand up & talk to a group of people who have many years' of experience between them.

Future meetings must end in a display, after all it's why we're all on this forum !! We like to see things go bang
I think if it was over 2 days it would put some people off attending. Many of us have families & sometimes taking 2 days away at a weekend, can be difficult to arrange.

I see no harm in the members assisting in rigging the display, as long as they are supervised by trained, competent individuals. That for me, was as much fun as the rest of the day.

All in all, a great day & many thanks to those who worked so hard to make it what it was.


Looking forward to next year's already !!


Cheers,

Phil.

[chrismdunford]

It seems to me we are talking about 2 separate events: the AGM in its present format and another day where people can get more actively involved in setting up and firing a display. I personally would be disappointed if the AGM did not end in a display.

The AGM is not “the first 10 minutes” it’s the whole event, made up of reports on the current state of the society, future plans, talks and discussions relating to the interests and aims of the society and its members, practical demonstrations, hands on experience and a firework display. This is one event, not two competing events on the same day. Anyone who is only interested in having a firework display is clearly at the wrong event - If you don’t like Muse you don’t buy tickets to their concert and then complain about the music.

These events take an enormous amount of planning and this year constraints put on us by the venue meant that things did not run as smoothly as they might. In spite of this the AGM was a great success. The fact that we can attract the speakers that gave so generously of their time and knowledge speaks volumes for the progress that the UKPS has made since its inception. Well done to all involved!

[Altus]

As has been previously stated Paul and Phill made everyone aware that the inside talks were starting and encouraged people to go inside whilst allowing for people to come and go between the two areas as they wished. I attended all the talks that I had identified from the agenda that were of interest and still managed to help out with fusing and setup. I really don't think there was anything wrong with the current format from what I experienced on Saturday. Having earlier access to the firing field would have made it easier for the display guys but that's venue specific.

Edited by Altus, 11 April 2011 - 12:46 PM.

[phildunford]

My video now up on youtube:

Video

[Altus]

My video now up on youtube:

Video

Thanks Phil good work stitching all the individual pieces together.

[phildunford]

Thanks Phil good work stitching all the individual pieces together.

Ta! - years of experience

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

What happened to the 175mm shells and the salutes?

[phildunford]

Don't be shy! If you don't like my video just say so....

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

Nothing wrong with the video! Just missing one of the best bits!

[phildunford]

I'll have a look & see if I have them....

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

Good patching up though, you'd never know anything went wrong!