THE councillors who have refused to ban the sale of fireworks appear to have missed the point. Traditionally, fireworks and bonfires were set off on November 5, families attended and everyone had a good time.

Nowadays however, the bonfire season appears to start at the end of September, and continues to the middle of November. During that time, elderly people in this area are subjected to a battery of loud bangs every day from midday to after midnight. This is of particular concern to those elderly people who have pets, many of whom can be severely traumatised.

Councillor Hanscomb is quoted as saying that: "We could ban lots of things because people might get hurt." Some people enjoy driving at a 100 mph, but we still ban it. I suggest that Cllr Hanscomb and his colleagues spend a few hours at the local hospital's accident unit next bonfire season, to see what happens to many children because of the irresponsible behaviour of others.

By all means let people enjoy themselves, but not at the expense of others. Surely it should be possible to restrict the sale of fireworks to the first week of November?

John Jenkins

Merehall Close, Bolton The councillors who have refused to ban the sale of fireworks appear to have missed the point. Traditionally, fireworks and bonfires were set off on November 5, families attended and everyone had a good time.

Nowadays however, the bonfire season appears to start at the end of September, and continues to the middle of November. During that time, elderly people in this area are subjected to a battery of loud bangs every day from midday to after midnight. This is of particular concern to those elderly people who have pets, many of whom can be severely traumatised.

Councillor Hanscomb is quoted as saying that: "We could ban lots of things because people might get hurt." Some people enjoy driving at a 100 mph, but we still ban it. I suggest that Cllr Hanscomb and his colleagues spend a few hours at the local hospital's accident unit next bonfire season, to see what happens to many children because of the irresponsible behaviour of others.

By all means let people enjoy themselves, but not at the expense of others. Surely it should be possible to restrict the sale of fireworks to the first week of November?

John Jenkins

Merehall Close, Bolton

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