Points West Archive Films

400 years ago, Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators were plotting to rid the country of the scourge of the English Parliament.

Just over 20 years ago, Graham Lundegaard established Sandling Fireworks in Gloucestershire to satisfy the continuing demand from people wanting to make a big spectacle at this time of year.

The workforce making fireworks in 1992

No doubt since Points West reporter Graham Gardiner visited Sandling Fireworks in 1992, the company has increased its output to keep up with the apparent need for fireworks throughout the year.

Graham's report reveals how the company made an annual turnover of £1m – apparently by simply keeping overheads down by operating from a garden shed!

The film, which was broadcast on Points West on 5th November 1992, features the manufacturing process and hears from Mr Lundegaard, the brains behind the firm.

Although it is only 15 years ago when the film was made, it is interesting to reflect on how our attitudes towards fireworks have changed.

Graham Lundegaard

With more and more people keen to let off a big bang to celebrate a wedding or birthday – at anytime of the year - and with an increase in public events that like to end with a grand firework finale, it seems Mr Lundegaard's empire came along just at the right time.

And with people showing increasing concern over the sale of fireworks throughout the year, it may only be a matter of time before an expensive box of Catharine wheels and rockets is consigned to the history books only to be replaced by an increase in larger, more impressive public events.

Widden Street School, Gloucester: Winter Carnival 1989

Also from the Points West archives, a feature by Richard Porter looking at the Widden Street School Winter Carnival, including an interview with Horton Cameron, the 'Mayor of Barton'.

Does anyone know if Widden Street School still holds a carnival procession such as the one from 1989?