Good afternoon all.
Thanks for your continued support. I havent updated for some time but i have however been busy behind the scenes.
The meeting with MP Julia Lopez and minister Justin Madders is still scheduled for the 5th February. In preperation for this i have had talks with trading standards and had feedback from many individuals. Predominately, my objective is to prevent another tragedy such as mums from happening to another family. Since getting involved in trying to bring change I have become far more aware of the stress and harm fireworks can cause to the general public and their beloved pets and wildlife alike. However I also respect the rignt for the public to be able to see and enjoy fireworks.
The GOV petition that I launched with the Firework campaing calls for "Limiting the sale and use of fireworks to licence holders only". I still feel that this is the way forward and i remain fully behind the petition and the campaign.
However it was this petition that generated the press coverage and has made it possible for me to talk with Mr Madders. Therefore rather go in with just one agenda I have decided to offer Six reasonable suggestions that i feel would bring about changes that could both reduce stress on communities, whilst not simultaneously not causing too much impact on the firework industry.
Underpinning all of this of course would remain. Limiting the sale and use of fireworks to licence holders only. However the six key issues as i see them are.
- Ease of availability. High streets are no place to sell explosives.
- The purchasing of small packs or individual fireworks. £8.99 bought the "Megabursts" that killed mum. display packs only.
- The times of day fireworks can be used, 07.00 until 23.00. would 16.00 until 22.00. not reduce tensions and reduce stress?
- Proximity of displays to vulnerable premises. Ring fencing such premises creating FCZs around them
- All year round use. Key dates and pre-planned organised events only.
- Online sales. Online sales need to be looked into properly. Some reasearch i have done suggests only a tickbox excerise is need to confirm age.
This list is far from perfect but its a start to help continue the debate. the document i am producing is 10 pages long an fleshes out thes points further. It also offers suggestions and solutions to the problems.
I am very open to input from all sides of the debate and can be comtacted on Twiter Alan smith @aston0523.
Lets continue the debate. ps apologies for the grammar.