A story from one of our members. If you have a story, please send it in to us.

Thank you ,   Julie

So Hull has been named City of Culture 2017 and because of this has 2 barges on the River Humber filled to the brim with fireworks. The ‘show’ starts aptly enough at 20.17 and has over 15,000 fireworks. How a city that has numerous rough sleepers, high unemployment, drug abuse and elderly people struggling to survive thinks that culture starts with fireworks is beyond me. There is nothing cultural about fireworks and I believe the city has missed a trick by going down the same old route of fireworks. They really could have stood out from the normal city of culture recipients and made a difference to the people of Hull by spending the money in other areas. I appreciate that they want/need to bring people to the city, but come January 20th who is going to visit on the back of a long gone firework display. The winners are once again the retailers and the display company Titanium who have been employed. Tellingly I have haven’t had an answer to my request on how much this firework display has cost Hull City Council. Disappointment, anger, and disgust are my uppermost emotions, Hull had a chance to lead the way forward but buried its head into the same old ways of celebrating. Showcasing local talent, looking after the vulnerable and being proud to do so would bring the whole ‘City of Culture’ farce into the 21st century and show the United Kingdom the real Hull, the real people and the true meaning behind being awarded this ‘accolade’. I am hoping that the distance of 10 miles will be enough to not suffer from the display, as I and my Golden Retriever have really had quite enough of fireworks this week already. Just need to add that Hull also had 2 firework shows yesterday to welcome in the New Year, so by my reckoning if there wasn’t another firework sold for the next 6 months – Hull on its own has kept this business going. Those of you who are my friends on FB will have seen the post on my personal page yesterday, I will reiterate it here. How many animals will be injured tonight as they run in fear from fireworks ? Fireworks – the 21st century’s new bloodsport, no boundaries or class required. Just £30 and a visit to a supermarket and you too can destroy lives. Stand up and make your signature count – Just imagine the destruction that 15,000 fireworks will have on the animals in the surrounding area.

SIGN HERE please to help FAB stop random fireworks. Read our HOME PAGE to see what we are about…

Please report every incidence of fireworks you hear on our FIREWORK LOG. We are collecting data to prove to the government that random fireworks do occur……They insist fireworks are mostly limited to traditional dates already. We know that is not the case.

Please WRITE TO YOUR MP and let them know how you feel.. If you don’t tell them they will continue to deny the problem.

FAB are asking the government to restrict public USE of fireworks to traditional dates. That works out about 10 days a year. So you can still have them in your gardens around Guy Fawkes and New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year.. There will still be displays and fireworks competitions as there are now, just no random unexpected fireworks to frighten people and animals.

#fabuk