Editorial: Echoes of Fawkes carrying too far

Fireworks are making me a grumpy old woman.

The above line isn't original. But it's fitting with how I'm feeling.

I've noticed during the past few days at least half a dozen of my "friends" or "followers" on Facebook or Twitter have made the above statement out of frustration about inconsiderate locals letting off noisy fireworks at all hours of the night.

On the flip side, Facebook is also full of photos of people with their children having a great time at Guy Fawkes' barbecues with their family and friends.

The photos show the gleaming faces of children as they wave their sparklers into the air.

So, without sounding like a Grinch, should Guy Fawkes be allowed to continue like it is?

We already have big restrictions on the sale of fireworks.

Following a public outcry over their availability, they are now only sold from November 2 to November 5 each year.

The problem is though, it's not illegal to let them off anytime you like. Saturday night was fair enough. I lay in bed listening to the banging and whizzing going on outside (while at the same time hearing my dog freak out and my toddler stir in her sleep).

When I still heard the noises after midnight, I started to get annoyed. It was now rude.

Come Sunday night, I was over it. It's a "school" night. That was the last straw. Guy Fawkes is now officially over but we will be hearing the banging and popping for more nights to come.

If retail sales of fireworks aren't going to be banned, and fireworks confined just to public displays, then at least there should be a time restriction. I'm thinking fireworks should only be allowed to be let off over three nights - from November 4 to November 6 - with the latest being 11pm at night.

Go on, call me a grandma.

What do you think?

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