Tuesday, February 5, 2013

What an amazing end to an incredible year


We started 2012 in spectacular style with an amazing display fired from the Great Clock Tower, the London Eye and barges on the Thames for the Mayor of London's New Year's Eve celebrations, as well as Edinburgh's Hogmanay, this kick started an amazing year for Kimbolton Fireworks which has kept our display teams very busy.

The Olympic year was always going to be a frenetic year, with the procurement process of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games behind us, the planning started as soon as we returned from our New Year's Eve exploits with the prospect of delivering four world class ceremonies that would be watched by over 1 billion people world wide.

The busy summer program started with the opening of the 2012 Festival in late June with a firework finale at the Big Concert, on midsummer night Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Boliver Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela performed a spectacular outdoor concert set against the stunning back drop of Stirling Castle.

Very quickly the 27th July loomed ever closer and our team of 50 pyrotechnicians worked tirelessly around the clock to rig and set up the largest display the country has ever witnessed.  The Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games was a once in a life time opportunity and it was an honour and a privilege to work on such a prestigious and high profile event as the Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

With over 350 firing locations spread around the Olympic Stadium and Park, the scene was set for the most nerve racking 5 minutes of our lives.  As the restrictions on what we can report lift we hope to provide a more detailed case study of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies.  For the time being below is a shot taken by one of our firers, Nick Alloway.


After the Olympics and Paralympic Games which ended on 9th September, we facilitated the Blackpool World Firework Championships and then moved swiftly into our busy November season where we fired 90 shows in just over 3 weeks.

We barely had time to catch breath before we were immersed in the detail of planning, producing and delivering the two largest annual displays in the UK to mark the arrival of 2013 and to celebrate the end of an amazing 2012, with Edinburgh's Hogmanay and The Mayor of London's New Years Eve Celebrations.


Credit Nick Alloway

Courtesy of Edinburgh's Hogmanay and Grant Ritchie