AND THE WINNER IS …..2017

This year has been a very good one on the competitive side of the industry as a whole and once again the UK reigns supreme so here is a short round-up of some of the competition winners both on the international and domestic pyrotechnic stage.

First mention to Pyrotex Fireworx who competed alongside Pyro 2000 and some of the very best professional firework display teams around the globe and successfully lifted the win for the second year running with an awesome display with a particularly moving soundtrack – well done to Pyrotex who once again show their experience and technical ability with this stunning show PIPC champions 2017.

The UK summer always starts for me with the list of which of the UK’s most beautiful historic houses are on the list for the annual ‘Firework Champions’ events and this year we had a couple of changes of venue. This year, the splendid Capesthorne Hall was replaced by the nonetheless gorgeous Arley Hall. The house and region have been home to the forebears of Lord and Lady Ashbrook since the mid 15th Century but the current Hall is characterised as a Country House in the Jacobethan Style meaning it is strongly influenced by both Elizabethan and Jacobean architecture. There are of course competitions from July through to early September and here are the competition winners for 2017:

· NEWBY HALL – ATOM FIREWORKS

· STANFORD HALL – SKYDAZZLE PYROTECHNICS

· BELVOIR CASTLE – TWO TIGERS FIREWORKS

· ARLEY HALL – OPTIMUM FIREWORKS

· EASTNOR CASTLE – FIREMONKEY PYRO

· RAGLEY HALL – ILLUSION FIREWORKS

Then, Jubilee Fireworks took to the World stage over in Montreal in August and again wowed the judges with their fantastic Gunpowder and Greasepaint themed display picking up the Gold Jupiter award for their momentous display especially given that they took on the mighty Ricardo Caballer Ricasa, Surex Fireworks and Vaccalluzzo Events. Warmest congratulations on a job well done.

Then off we went to the British Firework Championships over the beautiful Plymouth Hoe which brings in funding for the local charities and the whole of the community who get to see the wonder of the fireworks of the beautiful cove. The winners of the British Firework Championships were the superb Selstar Fireworks.

Onto the British Musical Fireworks championships for a champion of champion event featuring the past seven winners who were all competing for a year’s worth of bragging rights. There was plenty to see as the fireworks got underway on Friday night and the weather was changeable at best but all the technicians were ready and willing to bring it on the night. The well-deserved winner of the event was Sirotechnics.

A great year for British Pyrotechnics so well done to you all and good luck for 2018.