That’s the fireworks over for another another year. Phew! | Zoe Williams
Every Guy Fawkes Night excited man-children light up much of Britain with their Intergalactic Megaboxes. And we just trust them not to make a hash of it
Near my house, there are some incredible firework enthusiasts. In November 2020, when I’d just moved in, I thought it was an optical illusion created by lockdown; there were no municipal displays, no bonfires. Obviously a few catherine wheels coming out of a garden was going to look spectacular. OK, it looked more like a thousand catherine wheels, then 15 minutes straight of sky-filling light cascades, like beautiful waterfalls, that have technical firework names such as Whistling Palms, but that couldn’t be right: how much would that cost? Even if everyone on the block chipped in, they couldn’t have had a bigger budget than the London mayor Sadiq Khan.
In 2021, civic life had almost returned to normal, firework-wise, and amateur-hour across the road still looked pretty professional. That year, I ran over the road to say thanks. And the year after, feeling like a freeloader, I gave them £20. Both times they looked puzzled, like, “What’s the big deal? We are merely lighting up our neighbourhood like the Commonwealth, which is what any normal person would do.”
Continue reading...Topics
-
Diana Taurasi still mulling over decision to retire or play another year
Sports - ABC News - October 22 -
UK inflation falls to lowest level in over 3 years, cementing expectations for another rate cut
World - ABC News - October 16 -
It’s taken me 20 years, but I’ve finally updated my to-do list | Zoe Williams
World - The Guardian - November 5 -
My mother nursed a life-affirming 25-year grudge. Hard as I try, I don’t have the attention span | Zoe Williams
World - The Guardian - November 3 -
Do voters really want another four years of Biden-Harris policies?
Politics - The Hill - October 25 -
Stocks are expensive, but their rally can continue for at least another year. Here’s why.
Business - MarketWatch - October 29 -
AppLovin, top tech stock of the year, soars another 46% on earnings beat
Business - CNBC - 6 days ago -
Rising insurance costs are another storm gathering over commercial real estate
Business - MarketWatch - October 23
More from The Guardian
-
Republicans baffled after Trump picks ‘reckless’ Gaetz for attorney general
World - The Guardian - 58 minutes ago -
More than 800 million people around the world have diabetes, study finds
World - The Guardian - 3 hours ago -
Marine Le Pen: prosecutor recommends jail and 5 year ban from public office in EU embezzlement trial
World - The Guardian - 1 hour ago -
Pint-sized crustacean named after New Zealand brewery to boost interest in marine life
World - The Guardian - 1 hour ago -
Palau’s pro-US president wins second term, defeating pro-China brother-in-law
World - The Guardian - 2 hours ago
Latest in World
-
Dutch lawmaker Wilders wants to deport those convicted of violence against Israeli soccer fans
World - ABC News - 12 minutes ago -
US ambassador says Mexico 'closed the doors' on security cooperation and denies its violence problem
World - ABC News - 12 minutes ago -
India's Modi likely to find comfort in Trump's return and a shared worldview
World - ABC News - 12 minutes ago -
Protests erupt in Paris over pro-Israel gala organized by far-right figures
World - ABC News - 13 minutes ago -
Aid Deliveries to Gaza Remain Low Despite U.S. Warning to Israel
World - The New York Times - 41 minutes ago