Mumsnet Talk

ARRRGGHH!!

Am fuming. DH took the dog out for a walk this morning and happening to notice a poster up advertising a big fireworks display to take place on our street on New Year's Eve, and inviting the whole town.

He went on the Community Association website and discovered that it was accurate, and there is a plan for a big event on our road and everyone is invited to bring their NYE parties along for the fireworks.

For background, we live on one of the mainish roads in our small town/large village. The road is about 3/4 residential, with 5 or 6 commercial properties as well, a chemist, hairdresser, etc. It's next to the river, hence the choice. However there is a big field elsewhere in the village that can be and is usually used for this type of event.

Because our house is right opposite the river, the event will be literally outside our door, with hundreds of people, mostly drunk probably, and extremely loud fireworks. We have two small children and a puppy.

At no point have residents been consulted about this at all, and we only found out about it by accident this morning, otherwise we would have been non the wiser.

AIBU to be absolutely fuming?

DH has rung the Community Association this morning and been completely and unapologetically fobbed off.

How do the other residents feel about it though? You might me in the minority.

I would be surprised if we're in the minority, am contacting neighbours to find out, but given we've had no consultation or notification at all, I wouldn't be surprised if they are as in the dark as we were.

...I think it sounds like fun.

You'll get a bird's eye view from the warmth of your home. Puppy will be fine if you're there. Kids that are old enough will love it and little ones will sleep right through.

Think you are being a bit of a miseryguts

Surely it's just one night in the year.
You're being a bit of a nimby.

I think YAB a bit U.

It sounds like a lovely community event. I know it will be tough on the puppy, but there are things that you can do to minimise the trauma for him.

What about the people who live next to where these things are usually held? Don't they get a break? It sounds very NIMBY of you, its only one night.

You can't possibly be serious that kids will sleep through fireworks right outside the house, Nancy, good grief yours must sleep deeply!

It's one night a year. You have to be right out in the middle of a field to avoid fireworks.

There's a perfectly good non residential field where these things normally take place, and I'd love to see all you be absolutely fine about fireworks right outside your door with small children.

Yes I realise this is AIBU and I'm perfectly prepared for you all to say IABU. I just disagree!

And do none of you think it's reasonable to expect to be consulted/informed beforehand?

It is NYE, there will be fireworks going off all over the place at midnight.. puppies are also a lot less spooked by fireworks than older dogs normally too, so this is a good way perhaps to prepare him ready for bonfire night next year.

It is only one night.. just join in the fun.

I'd be fine with it, I am fine with it. Our village fireworks will be only metres from us, the kids will sleep through and I won't have to miss them, so I'm pleased.

Small children will probably sleep through, ds always did.

If you are worried about the dog, perhaps you could get some doggie valium from the vet beforehand?

I doubt they'll cancel it just for you so probably not worth getting het up about it, it's only one night.

how long are the fireworks going to last for? Half an hour at the most....

Many of our neighbours hold NYE fireworks in their gardens so it's always loud for us. We put DD (4) to bed as usual at 7pm and if she wakes up due to noise we simply get her out of bed, open the curtains and let her watch the fireworks then settle her back to sleep again when it's all over. It's only a few times a year (counting Bonfore Night, Diwali etc). YABU.

Our neighbours do too Bssh

I genuinely think if you could actually see the layout you wouldn't be fine with it if you lived here, but I appreciate you can't.

I have to say I'm pretty astonished no one thinks a bit of consultation/information would have been appropriate though.

Yes lots of fireworks always on NYE, of course, but usually (well here anyway) in places that aren't right outside resident's front doors, usually on fields/parks etc, so not literally right outside people's doors.

Yes, YAB unseasonable. I am happy to confirm that I'd be happy to have fireworks outside my door with small children.

It's hard to say on consultation without knowing the exact set-up, but I'd agree that I'd expect to be informed beforehand.

My dad lives right on a common where there are HUGE displays every year, I know what it's like, the house shakes but then it's over and done with.

I'm going to say YANBU. I wouldn't like to have to put up with the excessive noise that you'll most likely have outside your home either. I would have thought they'd at least let residents know in advance!

You are all WRONG!

Except Eric.

they have let you know in advance though.. they have put up posters.. and it is 3 weeks away.. plenty of time to get blackout curtains and ear protectors..

You should've been informed, if not consulted. I probably wouldn't be thrilled either but it's not the end of the world. You have several weeks' notice if you really need to make alternative arrangements for the puppy/DCs. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, it's unusual for midnight on NYE to be silent and devoid of bangs and cheers anyway. At least you can witness it all from the warmth and comfort of your house if you want to.

Try living on the Notting Hill carnival parade route and having revellers piss up against your front door - as I did for 3 years before moving.

One time a guy was being sick on my step. I banged on the window, he looked up, waved and then carried on puking!