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.

 

 

I like the idea of a trip to malta to take in a visit to a firework factory and then experience the various local religious/community firework festivals (both day & night) over say a 3 or 4 day period.

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