On hearing the first banger in Autumn

There's one major aspect of life in this part of the world that contrasts sharply with the big towns and cities around the rest of the UK. Around the 20th September, in any big city estate, the sound of fireworks - almost always bangers - would signal the arrival of early firework sales and provide a melodious counterpoint to the two-tone emergency vehicle sirens that abound in any conurbation.  Our area is mercifully free of that, with the November festival season usually starting late October. 

But there is a more serious issue with fireworks, and it's been steadily growing for some years. When we were all little kippers, and dutifully hid behind the kitchen window while dad abortively attempted to make the Catherine wheels spin (they never did) the only fireworks we could get were in flimsy cardboard boxes, usually costing a fortune, with some rather tiny 'Golden Rains', perhaps a spluttering 'Roman Candle' and one, measly and rather undernourished rocket.

That's all changed.  Today anyone - without proof of age or ID - can order a crate of fireworks over the internet that's powerful enough to mount a modest war. Rockets which could almost put a small dog into orbit, sparklers that could be used for cutting into the family safe and Fountains that will probably make aliens on a distant planet convinced that the Earth has suffered a small asteroid strike can be purchased  - year round - from many suppliers.

In the past, of course, it was the local newsagents who used to supply these harbingers of hell but they've become a lot more cautious, rightly fearing the consequences should little Jonny attempt the first moon landing with the neighbour's cat. The big DIY stores still stock some, but have introduced some controls over their purchase.

There's no denying that a decent firework display is an astonishing thing to experience.  The end-of-the pier event in Llandudno is wonderful, rivalling the best professional displays in terms of fluidity, sound and scale.  But that begs the question; should we still be allowing kids to get their hands on fireworks? Every year, someone, somewhere loses an eye on November 5th and the convention that we're still celebrating the saving of the King & Parliament in 1605 is not exactly a salient reason, although it has been noted that some Guys chucked on bonfires in recent years do bear more than a passing resemblance to various politicians, perhaps some justification for allowing the bonfires - at least - to continue.

And then there are dogs.  Dogs - contrary to popular belief - don't worry about the bangs so much.  It's the high frequency sounds, generated by some of the whizzing things that can wreak havoc with their delicate and extremely sensitive hearing.  But there has to be a balance. We live on an overcrowded island, although we're luckier than most. here in North Wales, and fireworks are a very attractive addition to any celebratory event.  And, fireworks or not, we can be sure the controversy over them will burn just as fiercely this year as ever.