RESIDENTS close to a replica Great War trench at Samarès Manor are worried that the fireworks finale planned for Sunday will terrify people living nearby.
Tom Kirkbride (75), who lives just 300 yards from the manor, said that an 88-year-old relative, who was bombed out of her home in Coventry during the Blitz in the Second World War, will be staying at his house when the fireworks are set off at 8 am on Sunday.
Gladys Kendall (88) – the mother of his son-in-law – will fly in from Ross-on-Wye with seven-year-old granddaughter Isla on Friday.
Mr Kirkbride, who lives in Clos de Jardin de la Blinerie with wife Anita (58), said that he was worried that the bombardment could bring back memories for Mrs Kendall of the time when German bombs rained down on Coventry during the Blitz.
‘This is really macho stuff and I am not a killjoy but I do not think this has been thought through properly for the people living in close proximity to it,’ he said. ‘Gladys was bombed out of her home in the Second World War and has only just recently moved from Coventry and we also have neighbours here who have a dog that is as nervous as can be.’
Pictured: Concerned resident Tom Kirkbride
Article posted on 22nd October, 2008 - 2.58pm
20 Article Comments
so what? does he want to ban bonfire night as well?
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Come on Tom!?
you can hardly compare a few fire works to the horrendous bombings of Coventry by the Nazis during the blitz in the Second World War,
that is just plain ridiculous!
As for the poor poor pooch, my heart bleeds ¿!
Get a grip!?!
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Great idea, Sarah. Ban all fireworks and then we can all have some peace!
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what has she done every other bonfire night since the war?
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I have to say that I live in the vicinity and I am more then happy for this to go ahead it is part of the whole project. It is somewhat regretful that this lady will visit at this time but I feel sure if she is asked she will understand and proberly support this project. As for the dog it will be no different to the weeks of fireworks we are about to endure over bonfire weeks (yes weeks you cant say night anymore) and I am sure the dog will be less stressed then my 4 cats ! but will deal with it. At the end of the day we know about it and we are prepared for it unlike the random fireworks that will be going of for the next month !
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Why doesn’t he just take the lady out for dinner on the Sunday night at 8pm away from the fireworks. Some people have too much time on there hands to be complaining about stuff like this
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Another oh well the animals may get stressed but they will deal with it! What you mean is “they won’t die from it, hopefully” but not just Dogs and Cats are terrified of Fireworks this affects all animals which for such a “nature” loving island seems strange. I may add that this is not a one off as any excuse for fireworks to either show how wonderful wealthy they are, got to beat the jones’s or for whatever other pathetic reason they can think off there are fireworks nearly every week at various parts around this island. And why does everyone else have to suffer the disturbance caused by someone elses need for a “big bang”.
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I am very thankful that Mr Kirkbride has complained. Whilst I have no issue with events like this – it is nice to know when things like this are going to happen on your doorstep! – We don’t get the JEP & it is only by accident that we found out about this. Thankfully, I now have time to plan to get my elderly dog with dementia away from the house well before this starts, rather than her be scared out of her wits. Would it be so difficult to pop a flyer through the letterbox of those living in the immediate area? – it’s not something you’d expect at 8am on a Sunday morning.
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Sorry Mr Kirkbride is just a killjoy.
How many of the kids did he consult?
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The residents Samarès should be more positive about life.
As we come up to Remembrance Sunday we should all reflect on the brave solders of WW1 who did their duty. Reflect that a few loud bangs are immeasurably better than the real thing. Reflect that our armed forces, even today, keep immanent threat well away from our pleasant little island.
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surely Mrs. Kendall has heard fireworks going off plenty of times since the second world war?
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There’s nothing worse than fireworks outside your house at 8am on a sunday morning. How inconsiderate of the organisers to not tell the houses around the area! Like ‘A N Other’ wrote if you do not get the JEP then you will be in for a surprise. I can sympathise with the pet owners who will be disturbed – my dog (now deceased) would be shaking for hours after any fireworks in the area. I think that this should have been thought of a bit more cafefully!!
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i live down at harve des pas so for the weeks surrounding bonfire night i have a child constantly being woken by fireworks
but im not going to ruin everyone elses fun by complaining about it
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It is very sad that anyone is critical of the hard work of the C C F CADETS, who have worked hard to dig the trenches for the cadet project, for charity and for the poppy appeal.
The fireworks will last for about 1.5 minutes, and I take my hat off to the hard work and interest these lads have shown for our great soldiers.
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Whilst I understand the problem and I feel for the people in this situation (I wouldn’t want woken up at 8am on a Sunday by any manner!) it’s a slippery slope to start banning things because of a few people who have a particular life story.
I recall that there was a film about a child being abducted that had its release postponed because it was due to air shortly after the McCann girl was abducted… which is ever so considerate, until you realise that plenty of other kids are abducted and the film went onto air at a later date when some other not so ‘highly educated, rich, picture perfect’ family’s child had been abducted!
We have to consider ALL people when making decisions that affect the public, not just a few people.
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I’m sure Gladys would appreciate that the students are trying to understand a little bit of what her generataion endured for us all.
This complaint prevented the final mock bombardment of the trench going ahead and I for one think its a great shame. It was only going to last for 60 seconds!
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I think this is disgusting I like whatever feel quiet sure that Gladys would have been rather impressed that the youngsters of today were trying to understand what her generation did for us. Its a crying shame that the bombardment was prevented by this one individual what ever next ?
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Why couldn’t the bombardment have been moved to a less disruptive time and the vulnerable people and animals removed from the area , perhaps treated to lunch and a Bonio (for the dog obviously) at the organiser’s expense. How can you understand shell shock in silence?
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Let them stop it.. Let’s not teach the kids what is was like. Let’s make them think the only hero’s are those in iraq…
It was being done to bring home just what it was like back then, for people like you. If you want to be forgotten that’s fine by us new generation.
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Pleased to see you are still alive and well – and I think looking good – (photo too small). Good to have an update after so long, even though it didn’t sound like the Tom I think I knew. I always did turn up when you least expected it, but think you may be pleased.
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