The 25th British Fireworks Championship took place at Plymouth over two nights, 17-18 August, which, following last year’s successful rally gave the excuse for CA members to hold a meet-up.
Paul and Liz Harewood, whose yacht Minalto is moored at Queen Anne’s Battery, acted as hosts for the 23 members who attended. Seven yachts and one motor vessel utilised berths at QAB, Yacht Haven and Mayflower marinas. The fireworks are displayed on Mount Batten Pier, so the wave wall at QAB on the opposite side of the Cattewater made an ideal viewing point, without the hustle of the 200,000 person crowds that watch each year from the Hoe area.
Six companies competed to hold the title of British Champions, with 3 x 10-minute awe-inspiring displays on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. This year the companies were invited to include a section to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with lots of red, white and blue featuring in the displays. The pyrotechnics were spectacular - in addition to smiley faces and hearts seen at previous displays, there were lots of crown shapes appearing too. The winner was announced as Sonic Fireworks, a local company based in Uffculme, Devon, who managed to include ‘ERII’ in their display and ended with the loudest bang / bang I have ever heard at any display!
Social activities for our CA meet-up included the opportunity for Pimms on the pontoon before the first display. Then on Thursday four couples met for a walk, travelling to Mount Edgcumbe on the Cremyll ferry (via Royal William Yard with its fascinating Naval history). After coffee and cakes at the Orangery, Mount Edgcumbe House, the walk followed the South West Coast footpath to Kingsand returning to the Barbican on the Cawsand ferry. Cornish pasties were consumed!
Before the fireworks a pot-luck supper was held. Unfortunately, drizzling rain had set in, requiring the use of ‘umbrella holders’ for serving food and falling back on the contingency plan of eating on board two of the yachts moored at QAB.
Thank you to all the crews who attended. We would like to repeat the exercise in 2023 either as a rally, if we can secure enough marina spaces, or as a meet if not. Look out for more details in Cruising magazine early next year!
If you want an idea of what you missed, click on this link for the winning team’s display.
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Written by: Paul Harewood
26 August 2022