Wednesday 7 November 2012

Britain is a country where old men once heard Katy Perry's "Oh, Oh, Ohs" now hear her "Boom, Boom, Booms" on Guy Fawkes Night

  • It was 'Guy Fawkes Night' on Monday 5th November in which bonfires were lit and fireworks ignited, in a celebration commemorating the thwarting of the Catholic Plot to blow up King James I and the assembled members of the House of Commons and Lords on November 5th 1605.
In expectation and preparation, the Government agency, 'enviromental protection uk', issues the following laudable advice :

Fireworks can frighten people. In particular children and the elderly can be intimidated and scared by firework noise. Late at night they also disturb our sleep.. Farm animals have been scared to death, literally, and startled animals have been injured, killed and caused accidents when bolting. Disturbing domestic pets can also be dangerous as panicked pets can be vicious and destructive.

* Give neighbours a few days notice of your display - particularly if they are elderly, have children or pets.

* Use appropriate fireworks – when buying fireworks, try to avoid really noisy ones. Your supplier should be able to tell you what they are selling.

* Make sure pets and other animals are safely away from fireworks.

* Consider timing. If you are using fireworks for a celebration, a Friday or a Saturday is preferable; remember it is illegal to use fireworks after 11.00 pm.

* Avoid letting off fireworks in unsuitable weather – if it is still and misty or air quality is poor, pollution could be a problem. Check air quality on 0800 556677 or www.airquality.co.uk/

* Let off your fireworks in open garden areas – noise bounces off buildings and smoke and pollution build up in enclosed spaces.

* If a neighbour complains that you are disturbing them, their pets or livestock, be considerate.

* After your display, clear up firework fall out and dispose of it safely.

Rest assured, in most urban areas none of these recommendations were observed. In fact, quite the reverse was the case with either little or no regard to noise, pets, timing, weather, timing, siting, neighbours and cleaing up.

When I put my head out of my front door the 'boom, boom, booms' rattled my eardrums and set off car and house alarms.  I was reminded of the lyrics of Katy Perry's song 'Firework' which seemed appropriate for what old men once had when they were young and went "Oh, oh,oh" and what they endured now with "Boom,boom,boom."

You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine,
Just own the night like the 4th of July.

'Cause baby you're a firework,
Come on, show 'em what you're worth.
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh",
As you shoot across the sky-y-y.

Baby, you're a firework,
Come on, let your colours burst.
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh",
You're gonna leave 'em all in "awe, awe, awe".

Boom, boom, boom,
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.
It's always been inside of you, you, you,
And now it's time to let it through-ough-ough.

Boom, boom, boom,
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.
Boom, boom, boom,
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw

Plenty of opportunity for "Oh,oh,oh" in London for New Year's Eve 2011 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy_9bx6U8_0

An earlier posting about noise :

Thursday, 8 July 2010
Britain is no country for either old men, young men or anyone not immune to the noise of loud car exhausts
http://britainisnocountryforoldmen.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/britain-is-no-counrty-for-either-old.html










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