73 replies to this topic

[spectrum]

I have to say - as an outsider though - that Icarus's offer must be the most exciting and positive proposal to have appeared on this forum certainly for as long as I have been tuning in. Knowing Steve as a genuine and serious character I have to say it's an offer worth banking on and I am amazed the society isn't leaping at the opportunity he is creating. It's an offer that doesn't come along every day that's for certain.

 

Arthur Brown is of course correct in pointing out the scattered spread of members, to overcome that you simply need a series of sites up and down the country - it shouldn't be beyond a group like this to find locations to they can work together in, collectively this series of sites would then actively support one another  by pooling risk assessments, working instructions - the whole intellectual property/procedure catalogue for that matter. In the event that commercial production is to take place, you all share the classification rights too. I outlined something like this years ago and was shot down by one of the members because you were all well on the way to doing it anyway (as it was pointed out rather condescendingly at the time). Evidently and obviously this hasn't happened - much to the detriment of this group and it's members - all I truly believe deserving of the opportunity to pursue the hobby in a practical way and preserve what the Chinese and their UK importers have managed to destroy in a short space of time.

 

My offer of support is still there, and I don't intend charging for it btw. I think its something that should happen and think Steve Icarus should be honoured for his forsight and generosity demonstrated in the most practical way.

[samboradford]

hear hear (seconded)

[icarus]

Thanks paul and all for your offers  of support .The 5th is nearly upon us so hopefully everyone is busy preparing displays . The experimental straw building hasnt gone well we put the walls up with wooden support pegs through the bales but a storm wind brought a large part down  again before the roof was on .we have temporary dismantled and stacked it covered for now . Next time it goes up the argument is  do we render in waterproofed cement or clay cover it . So no clubhouse yet unless i can move some junk out of the old barn down there  

 

Hopefully by Monday 9th Nov the commercial firework season will have ended and we can arrange to  have a social meet up later in the month. 

 

 

 

 

 

t

[asg pyro]

i live near the leicestershire area and can offer all types of building skills joinery, plumbing ect what ever is needed and hard labour to get this up and running,anythink to get sites up and around the uk can have my help.

[icarus]

brilliant!!- all help is welcome and hopefully if you are close to leicestershire you will be able to make frequent use of the site .

[crystal palace fireworks]

This is a very kind & generous offer by Icarus, but if we are serious, we all need to contribute to this posting as to what is realistic, and/or what each of us would like out of it + our goals and practical aims for the society as a whole for the future.

 

Now given our sparcity of membership across the UK, I can`t see this working on a regularish basis to begin with - where perhaps members will turn up once a month to help build it throughout the year (due to peoples other commitments elsewhere - unless they live nearby) - so to encourage UKPS members to turn up more often than not to help Icarus build it - a straw barn type area to sleep-in for the weekend would go a long way to solving this - once the straw barn structure is built, we could then perhaps all chip in £10 - £15 each to Icarus (each time we visit) to help out and cover costs involving breakfast/tea/coffee and use of electricity/toilets etc for the weekend to build the sheds etc.

 

From a personal point of view, I too would love to see a UKPS experimental firework making site that works within the 100g rules as a starter point.

 

I would love to make many of the garden fireworks of old + new types, but for this to work practically - we need to debate & create a set of rules that everybody will agree to or abide by - in my opinion we should ( + new members) all have current `DBS` (disclosure barring service) certificates in place (this would go some way in weeding out undesirables) and give a good impression to the authorities, and secondly construct some basic safety training programs (half or one or two day courses) on good safety practices, storage, basic rules & regs, appropriate clothing, use of tools etc within a firework making factory setting, and then get these courses approved by relevant training bodies (at the end of each course you get a certificate) + risk assessments in place - hopefully Exat808 and others can offer there expertise on this - the only downside is insurance & license costs + planning permission.

 

After the above, the courses on offer, should include;- how to make basic small fireworks involving case making, fusing, pressing, quick match, fountains, rockets, catherine wheels etc etc etc.

 

Now the question is, do we want this site for current UKPS members use only? and do we want to expand our membership to the wider masses by putting on unique small bespoke displays to the public for a entrance fee to attract possible new members? + offer basic training to the general public for a fee? 

 

As some of you know, I was involved with the Amberley project in a big way, so my interest in bringing one of the `Wells` sheds to Icaruses site would be a big yes yes - that said, my preference would be to use it to house our museum first & foremost if practical (again place a donation box at the entrance to enter to cover costs) with a second shed for actual firework making. 

 

If I were giving Icarus advice on utilizing the site at other times for private commercial reasons when its not open to the public - I would build large or one-off unique pieces and sell to other display companies that are difficult or expensive to import from abroad.

 

 

[icarus]

Mains electric is available the supply has been paid for but i need to request the meter install . There is a diesel 5kva generator their until changeover . A few small sheds may be the easy option for starting with initial 100g limit 2 people working at any one time so possibly - 10x8 production area,  6x4 chemical store, 6x4 drying and pressing room 6x4 equipment store,   etc   cctv link and electric fired test area ?   sand bagged around

[icarus]

hi Thanks everyone for your offers of support with this mammoth project . ive not pushed ahead at the moment as i had a wrecked flooded house to deal with,(tenants are wonderful) and a cash shortage . The straw bale construction got taken down by the last storm winds we had. Its stacked as a haystack awaiting reconstruction  .Electricity is available

The weather precludes any work at the moment The access lane is too muddy unless you have a 4x4 . I am going to put up  2 small green work sheds asap just a couple to start with. at least then we have a start-. but at the moment its too cold and muddy to do much .  all visitors ,and helpers will be very welcome. 

[Rob.L.]

Have I missed something or is this still viable?

 

Possible site available this way too! (Somerset)

[Vic]

I think it's unlikely with the inherent difficulties with the site, Icarus has not been on the forum for three months as well.

"Possible site available this way too! (Somerset)"
That would be good but how many people would show up I don't know, but from small beginnings and we need to do something.

[icarus]

setting up a 100 g max  private amateur research facility within the requirements of MSER shouldnt be too difficult it only requires a few small green  sheds designated as chemical storage   , casings and drying , automated ball milling and star tumbling and presses  , composition research, burn test   etc  .within a remote  gated  enclosure  towards the end of our field . as this is out of sight  on private land well away from houses and gardens it should not cause any problems . It is far better that we carry out hobby research .openly  in a totally safe environment .I would be happy to run a company  that charges a 5p surcharge to inspect all relevant documentation and sell chemicals to visitors Its stock would be purchased from our present suppliers and passed on at cost thus easing their  epp sales, its commercial status eases the transfer and storage of the chemicals..The next stage is to declare my intentions to Leicestershire  Police authority and see how they view this activity . As any sale of chemicals is from a locked  store away from the field . the activity on the field is purely private  hobby research and not commercial. It would not therefore be subject to obtaining any form of planning consent, so experimentation could start as soon as the sheds were erected .. There is also room for a barbecue, fire pit and charcoal producing area , . camping or caravan is not a problem  if you wish to visit overnight . we often have a vacant room .Apart from 04 jan to 08 jan I should be around and in UK  The forum went very quiet as everyone waited to see how the mser review panned out ,but now we can make a start 

[exat808]

Icarus and other members - 

Just to remind one and all that I am willing to help from an ER2014 compliance perspective with this project.

I can freely offer the following services for you

1. Contact and liaison with the appropriate persons in Leicestershire Police

2. Site inspections and reports to support any application to the Police - I have clients in the general area so would tie visits in with my work.

 

Please let me know if you wish to take up my offer.

[Rip Rap]

This sounds very encouraging (not to mention exciting!) Please keep us informed with your progress with Leicestershire Police etc

[icarus]

Thanks for your offer of support . .At the moment their is only a  empty field .I would really appreciate your help as to optimum siting ,planning etc before erecting any small sheds etc. I am going to Amsterdam for 5 days tomorrow as my daughter is on a training course their and its a lot quicker than visiting her in Australia . I will PM you when I return and arrange a time to  chat

[exat808]

OK. Will speak later in January.