Large Rockets will be more difficult to obtain in future.

In the U.K. the general public has always had access to large fireworks but the influence of certain countries in the EU is beginning to reduce the U.K. to their level. Schools, Scout groups,Tablers etc have traditionally organised fireworks displays in November but it is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain larger fireworks. Aerial star shells fired from mortar tubes were the first to be unavilable and now it will not be easy to buy large rockets.

The EEC with encouragement from the USA decided that rockets with more than 20grams of explosive could not be sold without the new explosives classification. The lowest grade of explosives classification is 1.4G; these can be transported by ordinary carriers and stored in shops. The big change is that rockets bigger than 20grams are now classified as 1.3G ; they are not moved by ordinary carriers and shops need a more limited licence.

It was at first assumed that there would be quite a number of these large rockets which last year were 1.4G would be in circulation and in common with many other products it would take a year or two to move them on to a stricter regime. This is officially not the case.

Three suppliers have had to consider ways in which rockets could be legally packaged to reduce their classification to 1.4G. In practice this has meant that for example Kimbolton Fireworks of Huntingdon has had to burn test their superb German manufactured rockets in mesh lined cartons in order to gain this 1.4G classification. It adds a great deal to the costs, but they are still the only EEC rockets available in this large display size; others have done this with Chinese material.

For all lovers of fireworks these changes can be very disappointing. The responsible Firework Trade has gone the extra mile to keep our traditions alive.

To see the range of Kimbolton Firework's large rockets click here