BIG Bada-Boom
I’ve been feeling very homesick lately, a feeling not helped by a spate of recent BBC programmes about the rural beauties of Cornwall, Devon and Plymouth. But what’s done it most of all is that tonight this year’s annual National Firework Competition starts again on Plymouth Hoe, and the competitors’re going to try and break the world record for most rockets set off at any one time.
Ooooh.
Over 55,000 rockets will take to the sky in a breathtaking display by University of Plymouth ?Rocket Man? Roy Lowry next month when he attempts to break the Guinness World Record? of the most rockets ever launched simultaneously.
Roy Lowry is confident he can beat the current record of 39,210 rockets as his attempt will be made possible ? thanks to funding from Plymouth City Council – by the use of fifteen specially constructed frames laced with pyrotechnic fuse that will be ignited electrically. The rockets have been kindly donated by Black Cat Fireworks, in Huddersfield, and the launch frames and fusing were provided by Luton-based Fantastic Fireworks.
The exciting display is due to take place at 9.30pm on Wednesday 16 August when the public will be able to take up their usual vantage points on the Hoe and across Plymouth Sound in a warm-up for the annual UK Fireworks Championships (which is in it?s tenth year), organised by Plymouth City Council and TESA.
It’s always been an absolutely spectacular treat to sit in the balmy night air on the grassy battlements of the Citadel on the Hoe, beer in hand, ooh-ing and aah-ing as thousands upon thousands of incredible fireworks light up the sky and the waters of Plymouth Sound. Families, couples and groups all have a fantastic time, and best of all, it’s free. I haven’t a lot of good to say for Plymouth City Council generally , but whoever had the idea of hosting the national fireworks competition deserves a medal.
There’re 3 displays per night, all set off from barges on the sea, and you see amazing fireworks you’ll never see anywhere else; hearts within hearts, little ringed planets, gorgeous, subtly coloured falling stars and great golden chrysanthemum heads the size of moons. There seem to be yearly trends in firework colours too, one year it was lemon yellow and lime green, the next a delicate shade of lilac, another a particularly pretty salmon pink and gold.
I wonder what this year’s’ll be? Oh, how I wish I could be there to find out.
UPDATE: Woohah, 56,000 got let off. It still has to be validated by the Guiness bods, but the record looks secure for my hometown and alma mater.
