Wedding guests often behind firework misuse – meeting told
Fireworks on the floor in Little Germany (Image: T&A)
FIREWORKS set off during Bradford[1] weddings are often the result of unruly guests, rather than organised by the venue – a meeting has been told.
During a discussion about anti-social firework use at a meeting on Thursday, one Councillor questioned the claim in a report that “the large majority” of Bradford’s wedding venues stuck to rules regarding fireworks – saying he had seen the rules being broken on numerous occasions.
With the 2023 Bonfire season imminent, members of Bradford Council’s Corporate Scrutiny Committee were given an update on what was being done to tackle the problem of firework use, which some Councillors said was one of the main issues raised by constituents at this time of year.
The Council had asked local MPs to lobby Parliament for changes to rules regarding fireworks in a bid to end an issue that plagues the lives of many Bradford residents.
At the meeting, Michael Churley, assistant area co-ordinator, was asked if there had been any response from Government. He replied: “There has – it essentially says the Government has no current plans to change legislation.”
Many residents who raise concerns about anti social firework use say the problem is worse during wedding season.
A report that went before the committee said: “We have engaged with wedding venues around the use of fireworks.
“The large majority are compliant, but one has been issued with a Community Protection Warning following anti-social use of fireworks.”
Councillor David Green (Lab, Wibsey) said: “When I read that the vast majority of wedding venues are compliant – I’m struggling with that.
“When a venue, a wedding hall or a church hall, has weddings you often hear fireworks going off. I don’t know where that line about the vast majority being compliant comes from.”
Mr Churley said that was the information received from Environmental Health, adding: “I’ve been told most comply. I’m on their case if they don’t, so let me know if you know of any that aren’t.”
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Cllr Green replied: “I’ve had venues say they never use fireworks even though I’ve sent in photos of it happening.”
Inspector Nick Haigh from West Yorkshire[2] Police said: “Venues do write to the bride and groom, but it is often the attendees that come to the wedding who set them off. This often isn’t in the venue, but outside on the road.
“We have written to venues informing them of the issues taking place a bit further away from the actual venue.”
A new publicity campaign detailing the laws around firework use has seen a flyer distributed to venues. It shows a bride and groom and says: “Your celebration should not be your neighbours’ misery.”
It informs people that it is illegal to set off a firework within 50 feet of a road, or between 11pm and 7am except on Bonfire Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year (1am) and Chinese New Year.