Brockwell Park Fireworks Display

[Eliza dolittle]

Brockwell park firework display

If you don't have a credit/debit card you can't buy online and to buy on the door ?10 a ticket absolutely ridiculous

[Otta]

Wicked display though.

[Carbonara]

You could buy in advance with cash at libraries and places.

And it was free to U16s so even at a tenner not bad value for 4 people, given the extra events, the bonfire and the other displays.

[echo]

I think it should still be free:) Much more of a community event that way:) We all need a little light fantasticalness, not just those who can afford to pay?.

[Otta]

If it's something that meant that much to you ("you" in general, not YOU), you'd find the ?7. And if you really really couldn't afford it, then you have the option to go to one which doesn't charge, so everyone's a winner.

Or Lambeth just don't have any fireworks, that's the other option.

I bet any money that the only reason Blackheath is free is because there is absolutely no way they could fence it off and stop people from seeing it.

[cactus]

I kind of agree with echo, that a free event can have more of a community feel and focus. I've been to the

last 15 or so Brockwell Park displays and there certainly has been a sense of community there, a shared enjoyment of a an old tradition, ritual, a simple pleasure really. However in these times of austerity, I don't believe local councils should provide a free display. Community events are important for our wellbeing, I do get that, but not at the expense of other crucial local services.

That said, I question the wisdom of putting on the kind of event that took place on Wednesday night. It wasn't family friendly having the display starting at 8:30pm. I have a nine year old, and it was borderline too late for him on a school night, so I wonder how younger children fared. It was horribly chaotic from 7pm onwards, very crowded and poorly organised. So although the firework display was wonderful, the overall experience for me was disappointing. I'd rather pay a fiver for the fireworks only, and forget all the other nonsense, I mean really, is there any need for a fun fair?

Plus, beautiful Brockwell Park was turned into a mud bath, and I think it's a bad idea to have big events over the Autumn and Winter months, when the ground is already damp and wet. It will take months to recover and it's a huge shame given how much Heritage Lottery money has already been spent on improving the park.

[Otta]

I don't like the fun fair,but think it's par for the course these days. Crystal Palace definitely has one, and I think Blackheath does too these days.

[minder]

But it's meant to be a firework display, not a funfair.

My daughter went there with her friends, got in early, but sounds like they were fed up with waiting around and her trainers tell the story of the park being a mud bath. She had no money to spend on other things and when the fireworks were nearly over they all managed to get out of the park safely.

[enjoy]

I don't mind paying a reasonable price and it was free for the kids.

But surprisingly it was far more crowded than in the years before.

Our overall experience wasn't great, it felt like waiting for the fireworks for an hour

(last entry 7.30) and it was just not a family event anymore.

Bit the lord of lightening and the fireworks were great!