Winners of 2021 British Firework Championships announced

20th August 2021

Aurora Fireworks have been crowned the best in their field, winning the 2021 British Firework Championships which took place in Plymouth this Wednesday and Thursday.

Six firework companies competed over two nights, watched by thousands of people along Plymouth’s waterfront.

Second place went to Fully Fused Fireworks, while Phoenix Fireworks came in third.

This year, the firework displays were dedicated to the victims of the tragic events in Keyham last week. A special tribute took place on each evening of the Championships, which included a one minute silence where attendees beamed their phone torches into the sky, filling the waterfront with light. This was followed by a display of five heart-shaped fireworks to signify each life lost and a minute-long round of applause in memory of the victims: Maxine Davison, Sophie Martyn, Lee Martyn, Stephen Washington and Kate Shepherd. Five green hearts were also projected onto Smeaton’s Tower during the event.

The British Firework Championships is hosted by Plymouth City Council in partnership with The Event Services Association (TESA) and this was the 24^th event. The competition has been held annually since 1997, apart from last year when it was affected by the pandemic.

Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “It was a difficult decision as to whether or not the event went ahead, but we spoke to many members of the community and ultimately decided to bring Plymouth together and dedicate this year’s Championships to the memory of the victims. Maxine, Sophie, Lee, Stephen and Kate were in all our thoughts and hearts as we watched the displays. The tribute was incredibly poignant and emotional, particularly the sight of thousands of people using the lights on their phones to illuminate the skies. This truly was #PlymouthTogether and long may this solidarity continue across our great city.

“And after a two-year absence due to coronavirus, it was fantastic to be able to host the Championships again, bringing joy to our local communities and welcoming visitors back to Plymouth. My congratulations go Aurora Fireworks for their spectacular winning display.”

The six professional firework companies that competed this year, listed in display order, were:

Wednesday 18 August

Skyburst The Firework Co

Phoenix Fireworks

The Fireworkers

Thursday 19 August

Fully Fused Fireworks

Aurora Fireworks

AJ Pyrotechnics

Jim Winship, Director of TESA, said: “The last couple of years have been very difficult for the UK event industry and firework businesses in particular. This year’s competition marks a return for outdoor events which make a major contribution to the UK economy, as this event does for the local economy around Plymouth.  

“We hope that by marking the tragic events of the last week with some special displays and dedicating this year’s event to the memories of those who died will help the city to come together and look forward again.”