(Article updated 9 November – see end)
Saltford Parish Council is aware of a number of public firework displays taking place locally as part of Bonfire Night celebrations. Though enjoyed by many, it is recognised that these have the potential to disturb residents as well as pets, horses and livestock.
SPC is aiming to raise awareness of these events so residents can be prepared. It is hoped that by sharing information it will help those who may be disturbed to know when to anticipate noise from a display rather than it coming as a sudden shock, as well as informing residents about where the noise may be coming from and how long it may last.
The list of local events that may be heard by Saltford residents is as follows. It is not comprehensive, nor does it include information about private displays. SPC does not have further information about the public displays mentioned nor tickets etc; please contact the organisers directly.
Thursday 3rd November 2022:
- 6pm Chandag Infant School, Keynsham (c.12 minutes)
Friday 4th November 2022:
- 6:30pm Saltford School PTA event* (c. 12 minutes, below)
- 7pm Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Keynsham
- 7:30pm Bath Racecourse (sound can travel to Saltford down the valley pending wind direction)
*Saltford School PTA fireworks: Saltford School PTA has shared that it will be holding its Family Fireworks Night on the school field on Friday 4 November. Some residents and those with pets/livestock may wish to be aware. The school gates will open for those attending at 5.15pm. Families attending have been encouraged to walk to the event to avoid congestion on the roads around the school. The firework display will start at 6:30pm and last for approx 12 minutes. The PTA are delivering leaflets to roads around the school itself prior to the event but we would be grateful if you could share the information above with neighbours who may not be on social media.
Saturday 5th November 2022:
- 7pm Saltford Sports Club
- 7pm Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park (again)
Parish Councils are not consulted about public firework displays and do not have to be informed about where and when public displays take place. Public firework displays and the sale of fireworks are matters beyond the powers and remit of Parish Councils. Please note that Saltford Parish Council is not advertising or endorsing any specific local firework display, rather it is aiming to raise awareness of displays to those who might be disturbed by them.
Saltford Parish Council will be discussing the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animals, including recommendations for actions to reduce the impact, at its Tuesday 1 November meeting (more below).
To help keep people and pets relaxed, Classic FM will be playing calming music between 5pm and 9pm on Friday 4 November and Saturday 5 November, see here for more information.
SPC to discuss impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and pets
Saltford PC will discuss the following item at its Tuesday 1 November meeting:
REDUCING THE IMPACT OF FIREWORKS ON VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS – To resolve to reduce the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animals by agreeing to some or all of the following actions:
- To support the RSPCA’s #BangOutOfOrder campaign to raise awareness about the impact of fireworks on animals and to encourage the general public to be more considerate of pets, horses and livestock as well as local wildlife.
- To write to the Local Government Association to lobby for a limit to the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays.
- To request the Government to better regulate fireworks by limiting the noise level for those used in public displays to 90dB.
- To recommend that all public firework displays within the area are advertised in advance so that people can take precautions for themselves and their animals.
Information about the meeting, including the agenda, will be available on SPC’s Meetings – Agendas and Meetings page. This page contains a link to SPC’s Public Engagement Guidelines, should a member of the public wish to speak at the meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend and speak on any agenda item. The meeting will take place in the Avon Room, Saltford Hall starting at 7:15pm on Tuesday 1 November 2022.
UPDATE – 9 NOVEMBER
At its November meeting SPC resolved to support and write outlined as above, with an aim to reduce the impact of fireworks on vulnerable people and animals. Please see SPC’s November minutes (item 15).
On 9 November SPC received a response from Jacob Rees-Mogg MP. Mr Rees-Mogg wrote to say in response to SPC’s request for the Government to limit the noise level of fireworks to 90dB:
“The Government has no current plans to change the law on fireworks, which is a policy that I support. This is already a highly regulated area, with a comprehensive regulatory framework already in place to control the sale, availability and use of fireworks. The Government believes that this framework strikes the right balance for people to enjoy fireworks while aiming to reduce risks and disturbances to people and animals.
However, the Government is aware of concerns about the distress noisy fireworks can cause to individuals, as well as to livestock, pets and wildlife. Therefore, the Government urges those using fireworks to be considerate to their neighbours and give sufficient notice of firework use, particularly to those who are vulnerable such as older people, children, those with mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and those with pets and livestock. The Government has worked with the fireworks industry to encourage users of fireworks to give notice of their displays so that those who are vulnerable or keep animals can make arrangements for their safety’.