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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Duffy on November 3, 2013 at 21:52

That's such a shame!   I agree, the Sunshine Garden Centre is a really amazing display.   Fortunately I could see the Ally Pally fireworks from my window, and they did look great.   But I didn't know it was so bad for those who were actually there.   What a missed opportunity!

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Permalink Reply by Doyougetme on November 4, 2013 at 12:53

I went along too, and was sorely disappointed.  I arrived at about 7pm and found the crowd mangement not too bad (apart from not allowing you access to the Ally Pally road from the station, forcing you to walk all the way round). 

They may have looked good from a distance, but in person, the fireworks were far too low.  Either they were poorly positioned, or of cheaper stock, but 80% of the explosions took place looking horizontally, and not above you. Some even 'popped' below horizon level down the hill.  I've never seen anything like it.  I'd wager that only a handful of them went as high as the Palace itself, meaning unless you were right at the front you missed a good number of them.

 

Also, they just were not imaginative, had poor sound for the music, and the laser show meant you had to crane you neck to look back at the building to see some of what was attempted.

 

For the last three years we've been to the Walker Cricket Ground, and although it is far shorter in duration, it was far superior to what I say on Saturday. Even the display at Scout Park has fireworks that go off above your head. 

 

Not sure I'll be back next year...

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Permalink Reply by Suellen edgar on November 5, 2013 at 15:18

I agree entirely Doyougetme, fireworks were positioned in front of the palace down the hill! I thought they would be higher with louder music.  Walker Cricket Ground is an amazing display but will definitely stick with Sunshine Garden Centre as they just have it all going for them. 

I will certainly write to the organisers Lindsey so thanks for the link :)

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Permalink Reply by Lindsey Berthoud on November 5, 2013 at 11:36

Quite a few people shared your experience of queues and overcrowding, according to Twitter at least. Friends of Ally Park tweeted a link to give feedback to the organisers, if you wish to: http://www.alexandrapalace.com/news/alexandra-palace-fireworks-2013

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Permalink Reply by ED Films on November 5, 2013 at 21:28

Hi guys, my name is Rory and I live in the area. Sorry I am using my company Twitter account, don't be scared away! I'm doing a little article about this disappointing damp squib event. Is there anything else you'd like to say so I can perhaps quote it?

Thanks,

Rory

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Stevenson on November 6, 2013 at 9:35

Feedback done. My parents came from SE London and were very disappointed.

If you ask me Ally Pally pocked half of the ticket money and spent the rest using a cheap promoter. The last free one a couple of years ago was funded by the council so I'm assuming they threw loads at it, before the local government cuts of course. 

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Permalink Reply by Doyougetme on November 6, 2013 at 11:29

Seems as though it was a shambles from start to finish, poor organisation, safety issues, poor staffing and a lot of misleading advertising.  You can see lots of feedback on the event on the Facebook page (link below)

Back with a Bang Facebook Page

Next year I'll go to the Wood Green Mall Car Park to watch it ;-)

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Permalink Reply by ED Films on November 6, 2013 at 17:34

Thanks guys. If you click this link, you can see my finished, published article about this very disappointing event.

It includes some of your comments on this forum, including Twitter and others.

:)

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Permalink Reply by Suellen edgar on November 7, 2013 at 15:10

Love the header Ed, ALLY PALLY FIREWORK DISMAY: Snap, crackle and flop! Very apt ))

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Duffy on November 7, 2013 at 15:53

Great article!  

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Permalink Reply by ED Films on November 8, 2013 at 20:34

Awesome. Glad you liked it! It's not fair on you guys so I wrote the article :)

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Permalink Reply by Julia on September 18, 2014 at 23:26

Fireworks night is coming up again and both Ally Pally and the Sunshine Garden Centre have tickets on sale. Now a year has gone by, do you think you will risk Ally Pally after the disastrous fireworks last year or is it Sunshine all the way?

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