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" A long time ago in
a field far, far away... It is a period of legislative war. Rebel
displayers, striking from a hidden base, have won their first
victory against the evil Anti-Fireworks Empire. During the display,
Rebel firers managed to fight the Empire's ultimate new weapon,
an armoured petition capable of destroying an entire industry,
with over £4000 of fireworks fired in a thirty minute blast
with no accidents, no injuries and no complaints... "
The seed for this saga was planted when Starsky
had a "northern" fireworks bash, getting together with
other UKFR members through our forum to have a private fireworks
party. Many members made it, many couldn't, so UKFR member Gerry
tentatively suggested having a "southern" get together.
What started as a suggestion turned into an avalanche of interest
with dozens of members pledging their attendance - and their pyro.
After what seemed like years of planning and thousands
of forum posts, the date was settled, the venue was confirmed
(a remote location in deepest Dorset) and travel arrangements
made. The event had been christened with the official title of
GIDFF - Great International Dorset Fireworks Fest.
With our Millennium Falcon in for servicing, we
had to take a more conventional method of transport and a long
and tiring trip down the M6 via Tony's saw us arrive on the Saturday.
Some members had arrived the night before, and many more members
arrived during that afternoon.
Gerry's was already a hive of activity. How fantastic
to put names to faces for the first time, and how incredible to
see an already HUGE pile of pyro swell even more with each new
arrival.
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Just one corner
of the firework assembly area. Note the Minster
mines - plenty of poke in this display!
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Jobs were delegated to willing members - catering,
waterproofing, setting up and so on. After a quick sort through
the pyro, a plan of sorts was hatched for the display. Gerry would
start with some single items for review. After an intermission
for some grub, the display itself would follow, led by Gerry and
Andy "Red Leader" P, with offers of help from Salute
(one of our US members who flew over from the states to join the
fun!), Tim, Stillsy, Adam and Starsky.
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Click on an image
to see it enlarged.
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Out on the display area, the true scope of this
venue as the ultimate fireworks location dawned on us. Sweeping
gentle hills devoid of animals and structures, perfect fall out
zones, and few local residents (all were invited). However a reminder
from Mother Nature that it was February - a biting cold wind.
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Chris (far left),
PeteB, Andy P and Hornblower (middle) and Tim
(right) unpacking and assembling pyro. The two
large timber poles would carry the pigeon.
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You'd think our members had known each other for
years - in truth they had, through the forum - from the way they
worked together to turn a massive arsenal into a viable display.
Rows of fireworks were staked out, poles and timber were hammered
into the ground, and even waterfall, wheel and pigeon set-pieces
were constructed.
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Click on an image
to see it enlarged.
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By dusk the firing area was criss-crossed with
fireworks, and the last few members were arriving - all with more
pyro. Last minute items were set up before a welcome retreat to
Gerry's unbelievable hospitality for some much needed - and appreciated
- food. And for those not firing, some ale (except for PeteB,
who was wearing his amazing coat with inbuilt bar!).
And then it began. Even the single review items
seemed fantastic - Planet's Wild Blue Ocean and Thunder Peony,
and Shellscape's Electric Palms taking the cheers before the assembled
jury and bank of clicking and whirring cameras.
After a quick break for some food the display
"proper" started...
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The first section
consisted of some VERY nice mine sequences and
strobes to get the show started.
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All credit to the volunteer firers for finding
their way around the pyro and giving order to the chaos. A great
strobe sequence with some mines opened the show, before the pace
was upped with more powerful Minsters.
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Strobes and
fountain start mines, a powerful Minster, and
more pretty effects to ease the show gently
towards critical mass.
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There followed what seemed like a relentless onslaught
of some of the finest display fireworks money can buy, with intermissions
from some entertaining set-pieces. Enjoy the show in picture form
below:
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A blue and screeching
Minster mine.
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Airbomb mines
light up the firers.
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The finale when it came was the most impressive
barrage of display fireworks I have even seen - before or after.
It left us all stunned, and proud to have been there to see it.
Check out the video clips below and see for yourself.
What a night. Every member without exception had
enjoyed a brilliant event which was far more than the stunning
pyro. To be able to meet people with similar interests was a fundamental
step forward from the "virtual" world of the forum.
There have been plenty of meetings since, from the friendships
forged through that night and the continuing growth of our community
here. But for me, Dorset Episode One rates as the pinnacle of
my time with UKFR - providing the catalyst and medium for members
to network and meet.
The single, biggest credit and thanks goes to
one man who turned an idea into a legend - and then a saga of
three meetings (to date): Gerry. It took an incredible leap of
faith, trust and vision to conceive, plan and then hold such a
radical idea together. And, I hope, our members have done him
proud and justified his faith in them. Not a single injury or
accident, not a single problem. Just the start of many, many friendships.
A toast to Dorset Episode One (entitled "GIDFF"
- Great International Dorset Fireworks Fest - by attendees) and
to Gerry, and the proof that sensible and enjoyable use of pyro
does indeed exist.
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