The new year is celebrated in London with a stunning fireworks show, but not everyone agrees that it should continue in the same style.
Those of us who couldn’t make it down to Embankment (or those who could but didn’t want to brave the cold) could see the show live on BBC.
A rainbow of colours lit up the night sky above Big Ben, the London Eye, and the River Thames to mark the start of 2024, but some viewers thought that on the upcoming New Year’s Eve in 364 days (yep, that’s how many days you’ve got to keep your New Year’s resolution), the fireworks should be replaced entirely by drones.
Because of the environmental effect of the explosions, X, formerly Twitter user Breadley, feels they should alter.
‘The highlight of the London fireworks was listening to London expressing its eco credentials and then launching 5 million fireworks off afterwards. Last year’s show had more drones and in my opinion, was a lot better to watch,’ they shared.
Philip Lort asked: ‘Is it just me that wanted to see the drones used more and less fireworks at the London #NewYear2024 display?’
Kuy von Braun also critiqued their choice and pointed out that animals can be frightened by the noises.
‘The London fireworks were a mess & the music was chosen by a kid who’d had an overdose of sugar. The drones were really good though, much better than fireworks & they don’t scare the animals,’ they wrote.
BonnieDogTuesday echoed the sentiments: ‘No offence the whole of London but you know them 13mins of banging fireworks… they got boring after about 6mins & actually drones are better. Just sayin. We need to start a protest to limit fireworks in the uk #DogsOnTwitter.’
‘Come on London, let this be the last of the New Year fireworks. Light shows, drone displays etc are better….AND COST LESS!!’ wrote user Antony and tagged the Mayor of London.
Jamie also brought up the financial element: ‘Cost of living crisis? Drones you can use them again!’ While Louise Melissa simply believes drones, which were used in the display to create the image of a child blowing a bubble, are ‘so much cooler.’
Is it just me that wanted to see the drones used more and less fireworks at the London #NewYear2024 display?
— Philip Lort (@puggle18) January 2, 2024
The highlight of the London fireworks was listening to London expressing its eco credentials and then launching 5 million fireworks off afterwards
Last year’s show had more drones and in my opinion was a lot better to watch
— Breadley (@mrbraddybrad) January 1, 2024
The London fireworks were a mess & the music was chosen by a kid who’d had an overdose of sugar.
The drones were really good though, much better than fireworks & they don’t scare the animals.
— Kuy von Braun (@KuyVon) January 1, 2024
Come on London, let this be the last of the New Year fireworks.
Light shows, drone displays etc are better….AND COST LESS!! @MayorofLondon— Antony (@PhotoAntony) January 1, 2024
The event presently uses 12,000 pyrotechnics, and Titanium’s Darryl Fleming, the co-director of the business that creates the display, doesn’t see that changing very soon.
‘We can tone down a display to allow drones to do a big reveal, but drones need time to dial down their lighting and move into their next image,’ they explained.
‘That’s where the fireworks can come in, do a 30-second sequence and then tone the fireworks down for the next drone reveal.’
They also told the BBC that the midnight performance is roughly comparable to driving 600 km – emissions that the firm paid to counteract.
Some folks were pleased with the fireworks and do not believe they should be changed.
‘Might be a bit biased but the London #NYE fireworks just deliver compared to other places. Not too spread out, or using projections or drones only!’ shared Sid Datta.
Darren wrote: ‘London always does New Years better than anyone. That firework and drone display was incredible. Happy new year everyone.’
The New Year’s Eve Fireworks are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.