London Celebrations

[lankeela]

Why? Just - why? If they cancelled the trafalgar square celebrations why did they then have fireworks by the river encouraging thousands of people to encroach on central London - wonder how many of them will be dead in 35 days?

[jno]

precisely because it's not central London - the embankments there are very narrow and crowded. There's lots more room in Greenwich and the Isle of Dogs - and besides they didn't say where it was going to be until today. I didn't see many crowds at all, did you?

[-SharonA-]

Stupid isn't it. They'd already said London was desserted yeah right!
Guess they were looking in the wrong places.

[Buenchico]

>>> wonder how many of them will be dead in 35 days?

A nice, cheerful thread to start the new year then, Lankeela? This should be in 'News' but here's the official explanation anyway, courtesy of Metro earlier today:

"London’s New Year’s Eve firework display will go ahead tonight – but the public is being urged to watch it from home as it won’t be visible anywhere from the ground.

The famous event was cancelled for a second year in a row due to Covid.

But earlier today, reports emerged that it had been given the green light to go ahead with just hours to spare.

Now, authorities say there will be a display but stressed that it is not a public event.

The only way the show can be viewed is by tuning in to BBC One at midnight."

https://metro.co.uk/2021/12/31/london-new-years-eve-fireworks-back-on-despite-omicron-concerns-15845794/

[jno]

there's something here about drone displays

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/fireworks-new-year-drones-popularity-b974426.html

[lankeela]

Chris it makes me so cross when so many of us have tried to do the right thing. I also wonder who paid for it all, and while on the subject why can't they in this day and age have some sort of laser light show instead of noisy, polluting fireworks which scare animals? Our local DogLost group has been busy all night because some morons think its a good idea to let off fireworks all evening instead of just at midnight when people with animals can expect them.

[jno]

lankeela, the London fireworks are paid for by London ratepayers - and usually ticket sales, though not for the last couple of years.

The highlight was drones, and lots of lasers, which shouldn't scare animals. Have a look at the link I posted earlier, it says drone shows may be the fireworks of the future.

[lankeela]

Thanks jno, a great idea which I hope catches on. As for the comment from the firework organisers, well they would say that, wouldn't they?

[Prudie]

The few people who were out and about in London were not breaking any rules. If I go into my local town today I won't be either.
It reads that you relish those that have done so will die of covid and deserve it. I despair. Happy New Year.

[Bobbisox1]

Aww what about the poor Welsh people,they all crowded onto trains to Bristol to spread it !

[Teapots1]

Even after 2 years of information on this virus why is it that many people still don't understand that being outside in the fresh air the risk of catching the virus is far far less likely than being indoors. Regarding people out and about in London last night, so what? most of the clubs and pubs lay almost empty, so "out"and about was ok. Regarding the so called crowded trains/ the trains are crowded during working hours. It appears that it is the older generation that are complaining about young people wanting to enjoy a night out after months of being kept in. The older generation who now see late nights a no no, but not in their younger days. Living with the virus is what they are trying to do, and what they have been instructed to do.

[Maydup]

The firework display was at a secret location and designed for TV. It turned out to be in Greenwich and not very many people gathered.

I think that was a sensible and successful compromise to be honest. Responsible planning after good messaging to stay at home.

[Teapots1]

I doubt many younger people had the funds to have a big night out in any case.

[calmck]

Watched on tv and thought it very good. Didn't see any people apart from the actor from Hamilton on the bridge