Not to expect fireworks at midnight?

[Mim78]

Unfortunately this is not a post about sex...

Staying in a hotel in Canterbury on business (sounds nice but as I'm self-employed I'm paying for this myself in order to be able to do my job...)

Last night I was woken up at midnight by a fireworks display - really loud bangers etc - which sounded like it was directly outside my window. It wasn't but must have been very nearby. Hotel is in town centre. i had been fast asleep. Not if it was organised display or not, but sounded like quality bangers and it went on for a little while, rather than being one or two random fireworks.

Am I right in thinking that there is no tradition in this country of having fireworks at midnight on 5th November? Why would they need to be at midnight when it has been dark for hours? It was bang on midnight not just quite late, which is why I ask the question. Not very upset about it (a bit annoyed at the time) just think it was bizarre.

[Squiffie]

It does seem rather random! I'd've been really pissed off but only because if I get woken it takes 4 hours for me to get back to sleep!

[Calabria]

Apparently there are certain days of the year when it is permitted to let off fireworks after eleven o'clock at night. November 5th is one of them.

From Wikipedia
"Restrictions on Use

Fireworks must not be let off between 11pm and 7am, except on Chinese New Year, Diwali and New Year's Eve, when the period is extended until 1am, and on Guy Fawkes Night, when the period is extended until midnight. This restriction does not apply to displays organised by local Councils."

So they were out of order letting them off at midnight, unless it was a Council display.

Why it should be necessary to let them off so late at this time of year is a mystery to me as it's well dark by 6pm.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks_law_in_the_United_Kingdom

[Mim78]

That's what I though - it's not necessary to wait til midnight because it's been dark for hours. Was in France for Bastille Day this year and was a right pain having to wait til it got dark to have fireworks!

Funny that it was illegal to have them at 12.01 but not at 11.59. Didn't know that law.

It was the bizarreness that struck me,

I was a bit annoyed to be woken up on my night away from dd but luckily got back to sleep quickly despite being pregnant...

[Coupon]

YANBU. New Years Eve is one thing as everyone has the day off work the next day. But 5th November is often mid-week, it isn't followed by a holiday and there's no reason not to have fireworks earlier instead.

[FiveHoursSleep]

It's Diwali until Thursday.
'Diwali in 2013 will start on Sunday, the 3rd of November and will continue for 5 days until Thursday, the 7th of November.'

[Mim78]

Not convinced these were Diwali fireworks as not seen massive Asian community around here. Wonder whether that law includes 5 days of Diwali or just one day.