I really had nothing against Guy Fawkes before I moved to the UK. True, I found it a bit strange that there's a holiday for a guy who tried to blow up parliament, but, well, whatever; Halloween's pretty weird too, when you think about it. Not to mention groundhog day.
But now I'm less than impressed. Thanks a lot, Guy. Thanks to your political persuasions, there are gun-shots outside my flat, right across the street, every night
every night
for a bloody month a year. Starting now. Going until a month from now.
Or at least they sound like gun-shots. Which is what groups of overly-celebratory and underly-supervised kids setting off fireworks on a golf course sounds like. For the first few nights I'm terrified. Checking the window after every bang just to be sure there's no blood, no sirens. In a month's time there could be orchestrated machine-gun fire and I wouldn't notice.
Just saying:
1) it's annoying. It's 1am. My cat is terrified.
2) if you want to shoot someone, try this time of year, and don't bother with a silencer.
3 comments:
Oh, hello notaviolin. Yah, well there are various options available to you. One is to call the police and they send in an environmental health team round with a decibel-ometer to see if the kids are causing a disturbance (almost certainly yes) their office to book times is open from 8am to 6pm (although they will come over at the time the banging starts) their direct tel is 01225 394041 and the weblink is: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/information/InfoCentre/ItemDetails.aspx?sid=489
This is a regular UK police call, so they won't a) charge you or b) think that it's a waste of their time. This is particularly good if you have a pet of sometime.
If the bangs are above a certain volume, then they can arrest them. Also there's a rule in Victoria Park about teenagers which probably means they're being forced on to the golf course which also may be out of bounds after hours.
Also you can notify Victoria Golf Course and let the parks authority know what's going on:
01225 394041 - they might be able to help out also. The golf course direct line is 01225 331162 Their site is: http://www.aquaterra.org/BathNES/comments/Directory.shtm
Also worth ringing are the RSPCA regarding fireworks, because they have some powers of law enforcement to. They can both arrest and recommend criminal justice. Their number is: (01225) 787321 - which is the same as the dog/cats home number, but they ought to able to help. You should also mention that there is a local hibernation spot for hedgehogs (yah!) and that you're concerned for their safety!
Yah, in any of these instances, don't worry that you're wasting anyone's time, or that it'll cost you anything, everyone's pretty good-natured about it all.
Okay, yah, and Guy... I really don't get this practice either.. er... the idea is to celebrate what was at the time a pretty evil and surpressive monarchy. It all seems just a little bit wrong. That said if you're in a field outside your house in the middle of nowhere, drinking mulled wine and talking with friends, and shooting off the occasional firework _only on the night itself_ then actually it's really beautiful and lovely. So maybe we can pencil something in sometime, perhaps not for this year, but soon, and we'll go and do that!
x
h
..Sorry and just to follow up, it is illegal to set off fireworks in England unless you are over 18. Here are the specifics, so those guys are defeinitely arrestable, and fine-able:
It is an offence under section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 to throw or set off fireworks in any highway, street, thoroughfare or public place. The power to enforce this section of the Act rests with the police. Anyone found guilty is liable to pay a fine of up to £5,000. Penalty notices for disorder (on-the-spot fines) can also be issued for this offence, attracting the upper tier fine of £80.
In Regulations made under the Fireworks Act 2003, it is also an offence for the under 18s to possess fireworks in a public place and for anyone to let fireworks off during night hours (11pm to 7am). As from 11 October 2004, police also have the power to issue penalty notices for disorder for these offences. Again, the offence attracts the upper tier fine of £80.
Under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any domestic or captive animals. The penalty on conviction is either imprisonment up to 51 weeks or a fine of up to £20,000 or both. Enforcement of this section of the Act rests with Trading Standards, the Police or the RSPCA as appropriate.
Here's the link:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/law.htm
holy comprehensive comments, batman!
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