London 2012 | Fireworks
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Big Ben chimes Herald Olympic Year
(UKPA)
Big Ben made sure the Olympic year was welcomed with a bang as hundreds of thousands of revellers were treated to a stunning display of fireworks launched from the tower at midnight.
In a first for the London's New Year celebrations, the pyrotechnics were fired from the landmark to coincide with each strike of the bell, marking the start of 2012.
There was a distinctly Olympian theme to the display on the River Thames with fireworks launched over the London Eye in the shape and colours of the Olympic rings. The accompanying soundtrack saw Chariots of Fire kick off a medley of London-themed songs.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.
"This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there will be amazing events across the capital up to, during and beyond a summer like no other."
About 250,000 people were estimated to be in the capital to watch the 11-minute and 15-second display, which saw 50,000 projectiles light up the capital's skies.
The Mayor of London's office said the display was the result of 12 months of planning. A crew of 306 has been working on the site since Boxing Day, with 1,803 staff - including stewards - on duty on the night itself.
There were 30 tonnes of equipment on the three fireworks barges on the river ready for the display, which was triggered by GPS to the chimes of Big Ben.
Big crowds were also seen in other cities, including in Edinburgh for the Hogmanay street party attended by some 80,000 people. More than 20 acts were playing on seven stages ahead of the midnight fireworks display.
The start of the London fireworks display was accompanied by a recording of the moment the capital learned it would host next summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
(UKPA)
Big Ben made sure the Olympic year was welcomed with a bang as hundreds of thousands of revellers were treated to a stunning display of fireworks launched from the tower at midnight.
In a first for the London's New Year celebrations, the pyrotechnics were fired from the landmark to coincide with each strike of the bell, marking the start of 2012.
There was a distinctly Olympian theme to the display on the River Thames with fireworks launched over the London Eye in the shape and colours of the Olympic rings. The accompanying soundtrack saw Chariots of Fire kick off a medley of London-themed songs.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Our New Year fireworks were a brilliant start to a spectacular year.
"This is just the beginning - as the eyes of the world turn to London for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, there will be amazing events across the capital up to, during and beyond a summer like no other."
About 250,000 people were estimated to be in the capital to watch the 11-minute and 15-second display, which saw 50,000 projectiles light up the capital's skies.
The Mayor of London's office said the display was the result of 12 months of planning. A crew of 306 has been working on the site since Boxing Day, with 1,803 staff - including stewards - on duty on the night itself.
There were 30 tonnes of equipment on the three fireworks barges on the river ready for the display, which was triggered by GPS to the chimes of Big Ben.
Big crowds were also seen in other cities, including in Edinburgh for the Hogmanay street party attended by some 80,000 people. More than 20 acts were playing on seven stages ahead of the midnight fireworks display.
The start of the London fireworks display was accompanied by a recording of the moment the capital learned it would host next summer's Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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New Years Eve in London by merciacoventry, on Flickr
New Years Eve in London by merciacoventry, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/geoff42/6609677239/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Fireworks are fired from the EDF Energy London Eye to mark the start of London's Olympic Year. Thousands of revellers lined the streets of London to celebrate.London, UK. 1st January 2012. by Paul Brock Photography, on Flickr
Fireworks are fired from the EDF Energy London Eye to mark the start of London's Olympic Year. Thousands of revellers lined the streets of London to celebrate.London, UK. 1st January 2012. by Paul Brock Photography, on Flickr
Fireworks are fired from the EDF Energy London Eye to mark the start of London's Olympic Year. Thousands of revellers lined the streets of London to celebrate.London, UK. 1st January 2012. by Paul Brock Photography, on Flickr
Fireworks are fired from the EDF Energy London Eye to mark the start of London's Olympic Year. Thousands of revellers lined the streets of London to celebrate.London, UK. 1st January 2012. by Paul Brock Photography, on Flickr
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Simply staggering! for all the right reasons!
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Gotta admit, they were pretty sick this year. Loved the drop of 'Earthquake' by Labrynth and the co-ordinated fireworks, very amazing.
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The Kimbolton Fireworks chap was interviewed in The Times today, he's only bidding for the Opening Ceremony, the decision's not made yet. Behind paywall, sorry.
He said he was aware that the last person to take explosives into the building had their entrails wound out whilst still alive.
He said he was aware that the last person to take explosives into the building had their entrails wound out whilst still alive.
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Thats something I didn't know.
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The Kimbolton Fireworks
I hope they get to do the display for the opening ceremony!
I hope they get to do the display for the opening ceremony!
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Really? That's surprising given that the fireworks for the OC would probably take *at least* a year to plan and choreograph. Just the NYE one's take a whole year.
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Last years were stunning and this years were Amazing. I noticed that London's fireworks were far more epic and FAR more colourful than all the other countries I watched on CNN. Well done London. London is becoming the leader regarding NYE. There were loads of Americans in the crowds on Westminster Bridge and some of them said they came to London because they saw last years fireworks on YT. So it's great re attracting the tourists. Lets hope the Olympic Ceremony fireworks are even more epic and better. It's looking good if they use the same team. Does anyone know if last years were done by the same guys?
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Good point Jersey, I hadn't thought of that.
I hope they do something along the lines of what we all hoped the river of fire (NYE 1999) but done right. lining up to the olympic stadium and round the island a little like a domino rally.
I hope they do something along the lines of what we all hoped the river of fire (NYE 1999) but done right. lining up to the olympic stadium and round the island a little like a domino rally.
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Not really. Fireworks at an OC is really just like a dollop of cream on cake or a cup of coffee. It just adds to the wow factor...but the main point is the show; and with a partially-roofed structure, why spend gazillions for something that the paying spectators there will only partially see?
For an NYE, the fireworks ARE the show!! The climax of an OC is always the Lighting of the Cauldron; and the fireworks employed for that, are merely to buttress the moment. They are nOT the BE-ALL of the show.
Also, they really cannot plan the fireworx scheme until the whole show is laid out--so that it works with the overall flow of the show. (Watch Salt Lake City's 2002 for the best example of that.)
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I am understanding that they intend to rewrite the script for OC of London 2012 from previous games...
Seb Coe said they intend to do some new ideas - and athletes will come in
right at the beginning and much more...fireworks could be different as well.
So its all eyes on London.
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