Fracas over fireworks extravaganza

A fireworks display staged at Bethlehem College on Friday night has proven to be a fizzer with a large number of locals both in Tauranga and further afield.

Several readers have contacted SunLive as well as taken to social media to express their anger at the fireworks display and their frustration over the college's lack of advertising of the event.


A fireworks display staged at Bethlehem College on Friday night has upset a number of locals who have taken exception to the apparent lack of advertising of the event. File Photo.

According to Bethlehem College's website, Friday night's display was part of a ticketed Film and Fireworks Evening that had been organised by the school's Parent Teacher Association.

It's been reported the fireworks were heard right around the city, even as far away as the top end of Oropi and the Kaimai Ranges.

The lack of advertising of the event seems to be the major bone of contention with upset locals, many of whom have young children and/or animals.

'There are a lot of highly p***** off pet owners, parents of young children and others in general,” says Parkvale local Sarah Jones.

'Why the hell did they not notify the public of fireworks outside of the fireworks season. It is s*** and I was up half the night trying to assure my nearly three-year-old it was fireworks.”

While a SunLive reader, who's asked not to be named, shares Sarah's sentiments, describing the college as 'selfish” for not informing the public, especially when the display was taking place outside of Guy Fawkes Night.

'There are many angry people venting on Facebook about how no one was aware that these fireworks were taking place. If we had of known then we all could of prepared either our animals and children,” she says.

While on the ‘Lost and Found Pets Tauranga' Facebook page, a post asking if anyone knew where the loud bangs were coming from on Friday night attracted more than 50 comments.

Posting to both the ‘Lost and Found Pets Tauranga' and Bethlehem College Facebook page, one user labelled the college's lack of advertising as 'pretty disgusting behaviour”.

'So very inconsiderate in keeping the whole of the Tauranga's families and their pets distressed and afraid by not notifying anyone of their very LOUD fireworks,” the user writes.

'They could be heard far and wide and were really distressing to so many domestic animals without the thought for farm animals in the area, people have also lost their pets running away distressed because of your [Bethlehem College] terribly bad decision.”

SunLive has contacted Bethlehem College for comment and will update this story once a response has been received.

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22 comments

Groan, moan, this is tauranga

Posted on 17-09-2016 12:17 | By BullShtAlert

No need for anger, the world is too angry a place. Smell the roses, enjoy living your perfect lives where you constantly advertise to the world on facebook what you're up to. Of course it would have been nice to know but hey it's not the end of the world. Go and raise money for the world's hungry.


agree

Posted on 17-09-2016 12:30 | By Capt_Kaveman

advertising the event should be part of the consent, a bad time of year to have it really


loud in greerton.

Posted on 17-09-2016 13:00 | By whatsinaname

I live in greerton and it sounded as though it was next door.Wouldnt ofwanted to be any closer. a bit of notice that it was going to happen. animals going crazy.Hope everyones pets were ok. very inconsiderate of the college. BullShtAlert. do you have young children and pets.


Bang

Posted on 17-09-2016 15:13 | By sambro

Fireworks = money up in smoke.


me

Posted on 17-09-2016 15:32 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

so thats what the horrible intrusive noise was. !!Where is the respect for everyone else, clearly man, who dont want noise imposed on them?


What ever

Posted on 17-09-2016 15:38 | By mtsax

Come on people why so negative about something that is bueatful kids and familys can enjoy. Kids can sleep through this sort of thing if they weren't brought up by tip toe up tight parents do you people need to be informed of every event so you can have the opertunity to complain before and after.


In reality

Posted on 17-09-2016 15:48 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

these people have the perfect right to let off fireworks when and where they like, just like you and I. The big picture is that fireworks should require a council permit before happening at all.


What ever

Posted on 17-09-2016 15:53 | By mtsax

Come on people so negative about something family's can enjoy. Kids sleep through this sort of thing if their parents were not tip toe and up tight.If it was advertised complaints Would then be submitted before and after the event. Would you rather crime and quaos in your area .Otherpeople in the world have bigger problems in life than you and your pets


Fantastic fireworks

Posted on 17-09-2016 16:00 | By Airflow

What a lot of moaners - I loved the fireworks.


They are takers

Posted on 17-09-2016 17:10 | By 1973

This school has always done want they want. They select their staff from a very narrow part of society so they end up with teachers with limited skillsets and limited Pedagogy matching their narrow beliefs. Its no surprise they didnt notify anyone of their 5 min dispplay.


Missed out!

Posted on 17-09-2016 17:35 | By Mackka

I am sorry it was not advertised - would have loved to have watched!!!


I also live in Greerton (opp

Posted on 17-09-2016 17:40 | By SML

the racecourse) and there were VERY upset humans and animals here last night, wondering what the heck the noise was. Too loud, unannounced and too arrogant of Bethlehem College to upset many neighbouring suburbs without consideration. Yes, they may be fun for those who knew and could afford, but for those startled out of an evening's rest by what sounded like WW3, it was NOT fun. And a damn good reason to restrict fireworks to one weekend a year! Very poor, Bethlehem College!


Whinging Kiwis

Posted on 17-09-2016 18:41 | By Kenworthlogger

And Kiwis have the gall to accuse the Poms of whinging. Sounds like too many people with too much time on their hands...


fireworks

Posted on 18-09-2016 09:44 | By dumbkof2

20 mins one night a year. get over it and stop your bitching


Mackka

Posted on 18-09-2016 10:10 | By Raewyn

They did not advertise because they don't want public to go to their events!They are given a lot of money from the Government when they already have plenty from the fees they charge the parents of the children that attend their school! Government money should be kept for public schools who cant afford fireworks!


Raewyn

Posted on 18-09-2016 17:54 | By Mackka

Great point you have there!


Raewyn

Posted on 18-09-2016 19:57 | By Kenworthlogger

Fairhaven school in Te Puke is a public school and it has a way better fireworks gala than any of the Tauranga ones. And the people of Te Puke seem to love it. Moaning must be a Tauranga thing.


Whop de doo

Posted on 18-09-2016 20:47 | By GlennisBrown

Why the fuss? There are fireworks on at different times of the year like at Baypark and at New Year. Stop moaning and try and enjoy life.


Moaners

Posted on 19-09-2016 14:04 | By Kenworthlogger

I cannot believe there are so many people bitching and moaning about a one off fireworks event for fun! Do these people not enjoy life and have no sense of fun? Tauranga seems full of people that are unhappy.


fireworks display

Posted on 20-09-2016 07:29 | By flyingtoaster

I am highly disappointed in Bethlehem College for this poorly advertised display. I wish I had known it was going to happen in advance, then I would have taken the kids along to watch it. The kids (and me) really love fireworks.


NOISE IS A NUISANCE FULLSTOP

Posted on 20-09-2016 20:47 | By kellbell

Those that love excessive noise so much try it in your backyard -oh no because you are bloody NIMBYS and couldn't give a ratz about others.


Kellbell

Posted on 21-09-2016 09:53 | By Kenworthlogger

We do have fireworks in our own backyard just like everyone else does.Thats suburbia for you. If you like peace and quiet go live in the countryside or a retirement village. I very much doubt the fireworks in question went for longer than 30 mins. Get overyourself and stop Moaning.


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