Fireworks in Cirencester will be a sickening display (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fireworks in Cirencester will be a sickening display

1:45pm Wednesday 16th May 2012 in Letters

I WAS most disgusted to read in the Standard (May 10) that there is to be a firework display in the Abbey Grounds, above the lake that is home to numerous wildlife, to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. I have no interest whatsoever in the Jubilee so I was unaware of this sickening display and all of the other events planned.

I do, however, have an interest in the wildlife in the Abbey Grounds. I have spent hours over the last few months in the park photographing the swans and ducks during the nesting and hatching stages. I watched the swans build the nest, I watched the eggs being incubated and I watched in awe the day they hatched. These amazing birds fascinate me, they work tirelessly round the clock with dedication and love to make sure their young survive. I was so happy the day the eggs hatched, to witness such an event was a privilege and luckily one I captured. These cygnets are beautiful, as are the ducklings, they each have survived a journey that is far from over, the next few weeks will be a challenge for them and time will tell how many will survive.

For the Town Council to organise a firework display in the park would be appalling at any time, but to do it now, in the height of nesting and hatching season is nothing but cruel. The terror to be inflicted on the birds is down right irresponsible and horrifying. Do the suits who decide such an event have any idea what beauty graces our park or what their intending display is going to do to the wildlife that has made it their home? Not only will panic spread, birds will flee, the mothers and young will be separated and some could die of shock. The Town Council suits need to pull their wellies on, take a walk around the lake, see the new life and beauty and then cancel this part of the event immediately.

If I were to disturb the swan's nest, which is ironically protected by the Queen, or to terrorise the wildlife, I would be arrested, so why does the Town Council have such a right?

LAURA BANSTEAD Cirencester