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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Letting fireworks off in our garden.

292 replies

raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 12:38

Yesterday I was letting some, admittedly large, fireworks off in our garden at about 7pm. Fireworks were going vertically upwards and not into neighbours gardens.

Anyway all hell breaks loose. Guy comes out of his house screaming at my DH that he is a "fucking nobhead" and starts banging on our gate which was padlocked.

I went back into the house and locked the front door. Went upstairs to son's bedroom. Window was open as I had been painting sons walls earlier. and curtains had been removed due to the DIY.

Next thing he is shouting at me "oi you, fucking nobhead at the window". By this time the neighbours 2 doors down, who cannot stand me, had come out and were joining in on the trouble.

I replied "go away or I will phone the police" as there was now a small crowd at the front gate. I then shut the window and turned the light off in the room.

Next thing the guy jumped the fence and came in garden banging on front door. I did not answer the door.

They hung around at the front gate for about 15 minutes then got bored and dispersed.

I can appreciate that they may not like fireworks as they may have pets that could have been scared. However another neighbour set some fireworks off (far more than I did) and no-one complained.

Not sure what to do now.

OP posts:
Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:31

I think a lot of the problem is it is a very rough area. People round here seem to think they will win arguments with threats and assaults. I think they do not understand why I do not get involved in slanging matches. However I think when someone starts ballooning the worst thing you can do is to verbally engage with them, best to ignore.

OP posts:
CrashDiveOnMingoCity · 30/10/2014 20:31

Well, we're all only humans and make errors in judgement.

Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:32

I do not know what Black Cat is. I cannot remember the brand but it was either a 25 or 50 shot repeater, cannot remember which. Got it from Tesco for £20.

OP posts:
Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:34

It was a big firework, I did say that at the start and I am not going to minimise, would rather be totally honest.
It was the biggest one we bought. Others are still in box in cupboard.

OP posts:
sheldonesqueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeam · 30/10/2014 20:35

Unfortunately though my dog will have to be medicated on and off now until past New Year.

Past dogs have not been affected. This one is absolutely terrified. The poor thing came to us like that so we struggle sometimes to settle her.

and I've not long managed to resist the urge to take cover which has taken years

TSSpectreDNCOntheParanormal · 30/10/2014 20:36

And how big is the garden of your house, and how close to his?

Black Cat is a brand of firework. The kind it's not too anti social to let off in a garden depending on the size of the garden. Ours is 60 feet and backs neighbour also 60 feet.

Sirzy · 30/10/2014 20:38

Another reason people don't like fireworks. I know a charity for ex-service people who are arranging to take a group of former service people to a cottage in the middle of nowhere over bonfire night so they hopefully don't have to spend the time listening to loud banging noises which understandably for some would be rather distressing

Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:40

It is a pretty big garden for an estate and then there is a central path and the other side of the path is the neighbours garden which is identical in size

OP posts:
TSSpectreDNCOntheParanormal · 30/10/2014 20:40

www.tesco.com/direct/chimera-55-shot-firework/426-6985.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=426-6985

this seems to be the bottom of the range on tesco.com.

Recommended spectator distance 25 metres.

ChelsyHandy · 30/10/2014 20:41

raltheraffe I think a lot of the problem is it is a very rough area

I think you've hit the nail on the head OP.

Its the sheer juxtaposition of (1) the largest firework in the box and (2) retreating to the house and locking the door, along with (3) the three different pissed off neighbours. I am sure most people would have worked out their neighbours might have been annoyed at Step 1 and thus avoided Steps 2 and 3 ever occurring.

Its hard to tell, but I think I'm with your shouty neighbour. You may well have driven a segment of the entire neighbourhood to distraction. And rough or not, objecting to fireworks in a residential area on random evenings has me on his side.

Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:44

I was outside enjoying the firework, I only went in the house when the guy started ballooning. There are only 2 pissed off neighbours-fireworks guy and the dog escape family.

OP posts:
TeaForTara · 30/10/2014 20:44

Yet more requests for "How big is the garden, how far from your neighbours?" etc. being answered with "It's a rough neighbourhood, we need to move somewhere nicer".

After all, it was only one firework - oh, except it was a 50-shot repeater, so really it was 50 fireworks with one fuse.

Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:45

no it was not the chimera one. that is £37.50, ours cost £19.99

OP posts:
Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:47

I have not answered how many feet the garden is as I am rubbish with estimating distances. As council estates go it is a big garden, but it is smaller than the average garden in a nice neighbourhood.

OP posts:
Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:48

I view it as one firework as we only paid for one item, I cannot remember if it was 25 or 50 repeats.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 30/10/2014 20:48

So you didn't ensure it was safe to set the fireworks off then if you don't know the size of the area they were being set off in

TSSpectreDNCOntheParanormal · 30/10/2014 20:48

Tea it's a display size firework. On an estate where the gardens adjoin.

That fucker goes up and you aren't expecting it, you're going to get the fright of the year.

I'm quite interested to see the line the police take with this, because frankly whilst your neighbour went OTT, what you did was incredibly antagonistic.

ChelsyHandy · 30/10/2014 20:51

Are you very young OP? Or a student perhaps? Its just that most adults, other than the very roughest of the rough, would be able to work out that setting off fireworks in a residential area, such as an estate, would be likely to annoy the neighbours. e.g. those ones with pets, or who are just putting small children to bed, or who are just sitting down to relax after a day at work.

In fact, even the majority of students would realise this I hope. Or maybe put a note through their neighbour's doors, letting them know. But then you would have picked a better time and day.

Maybe this sort of behaviour is why you have fallen out with now two of your neighbours?

Nanny0gg · 30/10/2014 20:52

There's bloody fireworks going off outside my house now.

Must be the 10th or so occasion this year. None of which has been for Diwali. One has been to commemorate the death of someone's DC (every year, same date for the last 10 years.) Some have been parties.

Hate them

TSSpectreDNCOntheParanormal · 30/10/2014 20:55

They must have a different line in store. There's no repeats

Original poster
raltheraffe · 30/10/2014 20:57

I am not the roughest of the rough. I am no longer a student, I was at Uni for 5 years and that was more than enough.
Anyway I am sort of glad it has happened now, because I have finally managed DH to move from this area and go somewhere nice. Seen some lovely houses on Rightmove, so going to start applying tomorrow.

OP posts:
lemisscared · 30/10/2014 21:03

Anyone who sets off fireworks on any day other than the 5th of November (and Diwali) is a cunt! That is all

Well that isn't all actuallly, my dog has to be sedated every bonfire night and new year because of fucking fireworks. He is jumpy for weeks afterwards. My friend has to go up to her horses to keep them calm because they get so spooked. Let alone the wildlife that will be petrified.

So one or two nights a year, if you fucking must but really, are you that immature that you feel the need to let the bastards off at other times? How many injuries and fires are caused by home fireworks?

But hey, you're ENTITLED to enjoy the big bangs...Hmm

lemisscared · 30/10/2014 21:05

I pity your new neighbours, lets hope you don't need a reference! I guess your landlord will have you marked down as a trouble maker already

lemisscared · 30/10/2014 21:05

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thetoysarealiveitellthee · 30/10/2014 21:08

come and live near me op. loads of people set off fireworks until a reasonable. everyone seems to take turns setting them off so we all enjoy each others

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