maaaaan. I not read the article but I am here to bemoan the demise of public firework displays (in London). When I was young local mid sized parks would have massive displays (and epic bonfires) for free. Now each borough is funnelled into a paid display in a maybe one large park. It’s awful and sad and there’s not even the lord mayors fireworks event anymore.
I’ve worked Ally Pally and Blackheath firework displays.
Whilst I agree with what you’re saying as well as most of the people who came to Blackheath last year (it was the first one in a few years), there’s always the option to stand just outside the fence and watch them for free.
As much as I love a fireworks display, I do welcome laws to restrict firework sales. Our dog becomes very anxious during the firework season, which can last weeks. There was a popular petition to reduce the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels, which if implemented could help reduce the anxiety that many animals and people experience during the firework season.
Going to have to make our own pyrotechnics soon