The British Firework Championships 2008 Finalists Decided
The final two heats of this year’s British Firework Championships took place over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, 24th & 26th May.
The set-up for the Scottish competitors took place in almost perfect weather conditions with the sun streaming down on the Port of Leith all day. Previous fears of a muddy firing site proved to be unfounded with the former dockside proving to be a firm and dry base for the three teams, Blast Design Fireworks, 21st Century Fireworks and Fireworx Scotland, to work on.
The cooling north easterly wind during the day meant that, when evening came, it was very definitely chilly for the spectators as the displays began.
The three displays were all very good and the judges had a hard job to decide the winner but, in the end, Fireworx Scotland, from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, were worthy winners, beating last year’s champions Blast Design into second place.
At Birmingham two days later, the weather had very much taken a turn for the worse with storm force north winds and constant rain hampering the teams as they set up at Cannon Hill Park.
The fireworks were planned to be the grand finale of the annual Lord Mayor’s Spectacular and a good crowd was anticipated.
As well as the weather the teams, Dragon Fireworks, Sandling Fireworks and Essex Pyrotechnics, also had to contend with split-level firing sites, something they all coped with admirably in their own ways.
The weather did not relent during the evening and the incessant rain meant that the anticipated crowd numbers did not materialise, but the people of Birmingham were treated to three excellent displays with Dragon Fireworks proving to be worthy winners. Second placed Sandling also had reason to celebrate because, as highest-placed runners up, they too will be heading to Plymouth on 12th & 13th August to take part in the finals.
As well as Star Fireworks, who won the first heat at Salford in April, and Pendragon Fireworks, who retained their Welsh Champions title at Chepstow in early May, Skyburst The Firework Company have been chosen to represent the south from the cancelled Battersea Park heat.
The full line-up, in firing order, for the British Firework Championships 2008 is:
Tuesday 12th August
Dragon Fireworks
Skyburst The Firework Company
Star Fireworks
Wednesday 13th August
Fireworx Scotland
Sandling Fireworks
Pendragon Fireworks
At least two of the heat winners have already profited from their involvement in this year’s competition by gaining contracts for displays later in the year.
As well as the British Firework Championships at Plymouth, the annual firework industry get-together is in the planning stages. Instead of the usual Firework Industry Conference, a less formal event is being planned.
There will also be the usual opportunity for firework enthusiasts from local authorities to see behind the scenes at the Local Authority Firework Workshop.
For more information contact Kevin Minton on 01291 636335 or email kevin@jandmgroup.co.uk
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