The highlight of our visit was of course the review evening, where FE would fire pretty much all their stock in front of a public audience. In the previous year, this was done at a fairly remote venue and although the setting (and the beer) was amazing, it was a bit hard to get to. So this time, they decided if you're going to do a job to do it in style, hiring a nearby social club in Ipswich - a bold move indeed!

But it was a much shorter drive - in fact you could have walked it from the shop - and an excellent venue that would allow the maximum possible number of their customers to attend. In addition to easy access and free parking, the venue had a bar, food, a PA system and best of all it was near a mental hospital, so if our medication ran out we didn't have far to go for treatment! If they do this again next year, it is well worth the trip (where else can you see a complete range of fireworks demonstrated for free?).

Gerry (right) is working out how he can hurdle this lot and get to the
big Minster Mine without the FE guy seeing him.

Time to have a look around the firing site and to take some pictures, if you're a member you can click on any image below to see a bigger version.

Warren (right) sneaks off to go and play on the Dinosaur slide. Come back Warren, you have work to do!!

Each product as you can see was not only set up properly but was numbered too, this would ensure that the firing order and PA announcements would match the list available for the spectators.

A view across the firing area showing the good mix of cakes that formed the bulk of the demonstration.

Tina takes a picture for the FE album while the bony hand of Diablo creeps in from the right. This candle pot really did look the business.

Three UKFR members and the man from Devco (a bit like the man from UNCLE but his speciality is pyro!) in the background, with the Devco Sea Mine in the foreground.

And old favourite, Laser Beam Weapons. But be warned, it has changed effects (our review will tell you more with video of the new and old units). Devco explained they had changed factories but are trying to duplicate the old effect.

Close look at the distinctive Sea Mine, here supported between two sturdy posts, with the lid popped off ready for firing.

Some of the heavyweights, Crown Of Rubies, Lake Of Sapphires and Red Glistening Stars in the foreground.

A look down a Minster Mine (safety note: never, ever place any part of your body over a mortar mine).

The popular Titanium Thunder candle with the long-awaited new effects in the background. These come in bizarre four-sided boxes which need to be ripped off to allow securing to a stake.

There was a lot of excitement over these two.

Gigantic Bird ready on the launch pad. This was a large cake that produced a similarly large performance.

A look down the line of pyro from the other side to show Warship, Summertime Blues, Night Theatre and Gigantic Bird.

Fearsome Triclops' legs have been spread (ahem!) as directed by the instructions to form a three pointed star.

The rocket racks with a selection of large and small items.

Close-up of one of the Benwell Empire rockets that caught our eye earlier thanks to the bright label.

Some larger rockets here, the signal rocket, Mega 2000, Millennium 2000 and Ice Warrior.

Closer look at Mega 2000.

And a closer look at the Millennium 2000 which is Millennium's double break rocket.

With the setting up complete it was time to sample the bar and chat with some of our members who had come along. Everyone was really looking forward to seeing the pyro in action and we all had our favourites on the firing lists.

As the darkness descended it was time to pick our filming spot, and at this point we were joined by Luvagoodbang who was helping me with the review filming. Yet again we managed to pick the spot next to the screaming kids - but then as we did set up in front of the kids slides what did we expect! Duh-oh! Next time we're going to hire a crane!

The large crowd enjoy the evening's pyro.

And then it was time to rock and roll, with the first firework, the award winning Glittering Gemstones from Kimbolton, and onwards and upwards from there.

A brilliant strobe (Kimbolton's Bengal Blinker) lights up the firing area.

Many of the fireworks on show that evening have since been reviewed, so if you are a member be sure to check out the review sections where you will find the full reviews with pictures and video too.

Here are some of the highlights from the stills camera, which you can click on to see in large format (members only):

It can only be a Minster Mine. See how the firers are dwarfed!

A rocket salvo.

A single shell pictured from a multishot Men Shun candle.

Devco's very lilac Colourful Moonstone.

The multishot epic "New York".

We had a great time seeing all this pyro in action. It was interesting to see how some of the Best Buys held up against some of the newer items - and also how some have changed. You can read all about it in our review section.

But the evening wasn't over just yet! To end the show in style, Warren had decided to throw a complimentary professional display! Crumbs could the evening get any better?