Young People’s Choice Award a first for British Firework Championships

21st July 2023

Local care-experienced children and young people will play a key role in one of Plymouth’s most dazzling annual events.

Every year the skies above Britain’s Ocean City explode in a blaze of colour during the British Firework Championships when, over two nights, six professional pyrotechnic companies vie to entertain up to 100,000 spectators on Plymouth Hoe and the waterfront.

And this year a special group of young judges will have a central part in the judging process. Up to ten care-experienced children and young people will supplement the judging panel of industry experts to score the spectacular displays.

They’ll have exclusive access to view the vibrant extravaganza from the walls of the Royal Citadel, directly opposite the firing site on the Mountbatten breakwater. And they’ll get the chance to grade the displays on four categories – variety of fireworks and sequences, rhythm of the display, use of colour and the wow factor. The New Young People’s Choice Award will then be presented to the winner by the young judges, the Lord Mayor and Plymouth Citybus, headline sponsors of the prestigious new accolade.

 “This is a really fun opportunity for young people who are in the care of the local authority or have had care experience to get involved in one of the city’s most spectacular events and have their voices heard,” said Karen Blake, Plymouth City Council’s Head of Service (Permanence and Fostering), Children, Young People and Families.

The British Firework Championships, which is free to attend, takes place in Plymouth on August 16 and 17 and has become a must-see event with locals and visitors from across the country enjoying the awe-inspiring displays, live music, food and entertainment.

Twenty hospitality tickets per night have been allocated to the young people invited and the adults who care for or support them and Plymouth Citybus has provided 40 adult day-rider tickets for their use.  

Mark Collins, Commercial Director for Citybus, said: “We are delighted to be involved with this exciting opportunity for young people which reflects our passion for supporting our community. Our initiative to provide lower-priced tickets is also part of our drive to give families and youngsters the choice to move around the city more affordably.

“Here at Plymouth Citybus, the community is at the heart of everything that we do and we continue to support local community initiatives, charities and organisations in any way that we can.”

Each evening three fireworks companies will showcase their displays at 9.30pm, 9.50pm and 10.10pm. However, the fun and entertainment will start long before that with fairground rides and catering opening on Plymouth Hoe from 2pm each afternoon, followed by a DJ and live music both nights with the prize giving taking place at 11pm on the 17^th.

The British Firework Championships will be staged in partnership with Brittany Ferries and accommodation sponsors Moxy Hotels. Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Events at Plymouth City Council and Portfolio Holder for the Council’s Children, Young People and Families Service, said: “We’re particularly pleased that this new award puts care-experienced young people at the heart of one of our city’s most exciting and colourful events and looking forward to hearing their views.”

Cllr Laing also added: “Brittany Ferries, which celebrates 50 years of service this year, is providing excellent support and to recognise this we are illuminating Smeaton’s Tower with their celebratory logo over the weekend of the event.”

Find out more details about British Firework Championships