Issue 47 March 2011 £4.75
Safety chiefs revealing meticulous planning
Supplier fears over fireworks and clock plan By Christina Eccles THE proposed introduction of daylight saving time could potentially destroy the UK fireworks industry, a worried supplier has claimed. The Campaign for Daylight Savings is calling for a three-year trial period, adding two hours to GMT in the summer and one hour in winter. The House of Commons has passed the second reading of the private members Bill on Daylight Savings and the idea is widely supported by the tourism industry – with a Tourism Alliance study claiming additional hours of daylight could increase the UK’s leisure and tourism earnings by up to £3.5bn per year. But for fireworks companies – who rely on business from events such as outdoor concerts, festivals and product launches during the summer months – the move could prove disastrous. Managing director of Fantastic Fireworks Jon Culverhouse said: “This is very bad news. The implication of double British Standard Time means it will still be light at 11pm through May, June and July. We already find it difficult to put displays on in June after legislation was introduced that made it illegal to
let them off after 11pm. It could be highly damaging as it could wipe out summer fireworks displays at events.” Jon – who has been in the business for 25 years – told The Main Event that double BST could also affect the upcoming Olympics, if the idea has been introduced by next summer. He added: “It is inconceivable that the Olympics are not going to have fireworks displays at the opening and closing ceremonies but there would have to be a change to the legislation on the firework curfew or an exemption. “I think this will have disastrous consequences for the UK fireworks industry and could put a lot of companies out of business.” Jon is now hoping event industry groups will join forces to object to the idea but realises there may be a conflict of interest as daylight saving could benefit some events and suppliers. How do you think the introduction of daylight saving would affect the events industry? Send your comments to ce@whpl.net or contact our editorial team on 01226 734463. The best responses will appear in our next issue.
Organisers of the Rewind Festival have announced details of this year’s event. The festival – which takes place at Temple Island Meadows in Henley-on-Thames – is dedicated to staging and celebrating the best music of the 1980s. Acts performing over the weekend will include Bananarama, The Human League and a rare appearance from 80s pop legend Holly Johnson (pictured).
THE heads of health and safety for two of the UK’s biggest spectacles will reveal the meticulous planning needed for major events at an upcoming conference. Before the Aftermath has been organised by the Tyne and Wear branch of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and will take place at Sunderland University on July 5 and 6. Confirmed speakers at the event include Lawrence Waterman, head of health and safety for the Olympic Delivery Authority for the London Olympic Games and Tim Roberts, head of health and safety for the Glastonbury Music Festival. The defence and prosecution from the Dreamspace case will also deliver talks about the tragedy in Chester-le-Street, County Durham – where two people were killed and 27 injured after an inflatable art installation came loose from its moorings.