to think those fireworks crossed the line from awesome to vulgar....

[housemovehell]

Erm I thought we, as a country, were slimy and that's why we are all losing our jobs and pensions, healthcare and all that?

Skint not slimy

I guess if you are going to hell in a handcart, you may as well go in style?

I agree but am bad tempered and very tired!

Did you see the number of people that were there? The revenue from that will be beneficial to many.

I thought they were great and would love to have been there.

I thought slimy was some kind of euphemism for being skint (slimy broke seemed like a reasonable phrase after a few glasses!)

Oh come on! Stop moaning.

Maybe they'll hand out sparklers next year and leave it at that.

Looked amazing

But after 2 mins and 5 lots of music I thought 'omfg how much did this cost?!'

After 9 mins I went on MN and missed the end .... Too long IMO

Yep squeaky but half the length of display would still have been frigging awesome and those people would still have been there. For me it was like a really good chocolate cake, 1 slice great, 2 or even 3 naughty but nice. Scoffing the whole party sized thing on your own leaves you feeling sick!

I don't know, but I enjoyed them and I work in the public sector, but it is olympic year and quite frankly we all need cheering up, so what the hay like christmas we will face the bill in the morning...so what would you prefer? a few sparklers?

I thought they were amazing. Could hear the booming big ones from our house, and we're miles away.

Though I don't know who actually paid for the event, suspect some money at least came from london 2012 - for the event to be a success I think it's important for positive imagery.

Also - damned if they do (papers and folk complaining about the cost taking into account financial switch) damned if they don't (papers wailing about what a damp squib olympics will be considering poor show at NYE moan moan moan)

London? I'm guessing will be paid for by private sector sponsors and therfore considered a valid part of their marketing activities.

Started really well - Olympic rings and that but then were just OTT. Bet Coldplay and Adele are laughing from the royalties.

Is it paid for by council or out of national funds?

I hate the fact that the public can buy the mini bombs and explosives that pass for fireworks these days, but I absolutely love organised displays like that.

I suspect that lot will be nothing compared to the olympics.

This is the dullest website I've ever seen

www.london.gov.uk/nye

Look! Would you want to click on Boris Johnson!

http://www.london.gov.uk/nye ???

I thought they were spectacular, and wished I'd made the effort to go.

Ah no....for goodness sake...when you are on your uppers, you put on your best bib and tucker and go to the finest restaurant in town! You don't show the world you've been eating dust for weeks!

yes yabu ...cheer up they were fab!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree it went a bit too far. I'm all for celebrating, I just think its a bit distasteful for a country to be celebrating to that extent when there are people waiting for operations, in need of basic health or social care, and fighting wars without the best resources while we literally burn money.

YABU they were fantastic I don't care about the cost. Really mega small fry compared to our national debt

Local ones round here were recently quoted at £5k a minute.

I thought they were fantastic. Wish we'd made the effort to go down there.

People really will find something to moan about in anything.

A bit of light out of the shite.

We were at a party watching. How great were they? I'm not gonna moan.

cheer up, who cares what is cost.....the whole world's eyes are on london for the olympics and we neded to do a good job, because 2012 brings the olympics