To not want a NYE fireworks display outside my front door?

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

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.

I don't think YABU at all! If it was going to be just family fireworks early on like on bonfire night then fine, but NYE tends to be drunken and go on very late. If this sort of community event is being held then the residents of the road need to be consulted first. They've basically organised a massive piss up outside your house!

I have a massive firework display literally over the roof of my house every year. Some f the fireworks even fall in our backyard.

I live overlooking a cricket and rugby field and the annual bonfire night display is held in there. We don't even get free tickets and parking is horrendous.

But you know what? It's over in a couple of hours. Next door neighbours have toddlers and they just make an event of it.

And watching them out of our bedroom is very romantic. We tend to have a glass of sparkly.

My advice? Put little ones down for a nap early and get them up and try and enjoy them as a family.

Sounds great, fireworks are one of my favourite things, my DDs have been well trained from before birth not to be scared of them.

That dogs hate them is just another good reason not to have a dog.

I'm surprised there wasn't a consultation, but even if there had been if that is the best place for this type of event then even with a consultation you wouldn't have had much choice.

Go and get some ear defenders for your DC. Mine love fireworks but loathe the noise and are fine with ear defenders. They even went to sleep with them on when there were fireworks next to our place at bedtime.

Unfortunately startail, even if I were looking for reasons not to get a dog, I already have one.

I would love the actual fireworks, a chance to have the coolest yet warmest party in town, and my dc (same ages) would either sleep through it - yes they do sleep through fireworks, or get up and watch it. They can lie in the next day, and it's the holidays. We have a similar event in our village, and most of the homeowners on that road have parties for their friends.

HOWEVER I would want assurances that the proper procedures have been followed, road closures, risk assessment, policing, insurance which will cover any damage caused to my property either by the fireworks or any people attending the event, somewhere other than my house available for toilets, and that there will be an efficient road cleaning crew out at 9am on NYD. I realise the last two are maybe cloud cookoo land, but you can at least ask.

but why isn't it being held on the big field since it is non residential and offers more space? It isn't practical to hold a fireworks display on a narrow street with narrow pavements leading right on to front doors, as you say there is not a front garden between your house and the pavement. It doesn't strike me as a sensible decision to have moved the venue this year. I am trying to figure out why they might have done this but I really cannot see the reasoning behind it.

I'm with you OP, I'd hate it.

I hate fireworks, can't see why they are necessary on NYE and wouldn't go to see them if they were on. I'd have to remember to get the dogs sedated, find the cats and keep them in and dose myself heavily with vodka.

I assume it will be late as well. At least on 5th November the organised displays are over by 9ish.

Is there anyone else's house you could stay at that evening, parents' house perhaps? If you don't fancy joining in I think I'd make myself scarce rather than sitting there and stewing.

Don't worry OP. I doubt a firework will find its way down your chimney and up your bum. Chill out.

I'm with you op, i would hate it.

I'm a bit meh about NYE and haven't bothered with it since the massively over hyped
millennium NYE.

Having possibly hundreds of people partying right outside my door until gone midnight would give me a Rage that would make the incredible hulk look meek and mild mannered.

YANBU not to want it. YABU to expect them to change it at this late stage.

People get very precious about their pets, which actually often causes more issues than the fireworks themselves - they sense your stress and feed off that. My pups are always out to see fireworks as close as possible, as soon as there are any to see - and as a result none of them (or any of my other animals) have ever had an issue with them. I also ride my horses with displays going on overhead. If you have a rescue dog, you've lost that opportunity for early positive experiences, though so rehab with fireworks can be more challenging.

ZZZenAgain it is our 800th anniversary this year so I think they are trying to do something a bit more special, hence the riverside location for fireworks.

Ghoul no we have no family nearby unfortunately. We may have considered travelling to DH's parents which is 3 hours away and the nearest family, but didn't want to do that this year with the new puppy in tow. He has a tendency to dig holes in the garden that I don't think FIL would appreciate...

Fakebook goodness you are a pleasant individual aren't you?!

Sorry for causing offence. Just trying to make you see the error of your ways. .

Yes Fake, stop saying the word "Bum" it's offensive

Facebook is clearly joking OP. Come on now, lets keep
our sense of humour...

very middle class well behaved fireworks

And where can one purchase such things?

Ha Worra

Not remotely offended. Takes more than a couple of posts like that from a random stranger to offend me, I'm just expressing an opinion. Eye rolling, perhaps, but not offended.

As I've said before, more than happy to hear views whether I'm BU or not, and most think I am which is fine. Most people are able to express those views a bit differently, and it's been helpful hearing them actually.

and still have my sense of humour thanks!

WorraLorraTurkey Tue 11-Dec-12 14:26:01
very middle class well behaved fireworks
>
And where can one purchase such things? grin

In a middle class shop in the middle of a middle class village!! Actually I think he buys them at some kind of military ordinance outlet at the nearest town, probably official display only certified.

The 1st time I went to the NYE shindig in the local village I was gob-smacked. If anything like it had happened where we lived in Sarf Lundun it would have become a full scale looting riot. But the villagers policed themselves, were happy and good natured and everyone had a great time.

I love our village

Well I don't think it sounds that bad, as it's only one night and sounds like quite a lot of fun. But YANBU to be annoyed that you weren't consulted. there should have been some kind of discussion with residents about the plans.

Get yourself some champagne and try and enjoy the night.

Sounds fab, get involved.

Have the community association got permission, consulted the council, taken out insurance and got permission for a road closure?

At least it is just a one off. I doubt many people will go either as its late and will be cold.

We have the village Xmas tree lighting ceremony outside our house every year. Hundreds of people, road closed, crowds of people and fireworks. I love it.

I'm jealous! Want to swap houses for NYE OP?

I'd be pissed off, surly, but resigned I think, unless I actually managed to bugger off somewhere else for the night, like me ma's. I loathe fireworks, crowds and anything else that disturbs me at home. More so if it disturbs the kids too. My sympathies are with you OP. YANBU to not want a firework display outside your house. What are your chances of stopping over somewhere else?