I wouldn't be so put out if it were only once or twice a year -Nov 5th and Jan 31st - but it is seemingly endless. Thursday clapping round here was replaced by Thursday fireworks. Everybody and his uncle who celebrate a birthday just has to have a few minutes 'bang-a-bang' to accompany the 'Happy Birthday to you...'. And, as has already been said, why set them off in broad daylight. I always believed the 'thrill' of fireworks was visual rather than audio. If my dog could operate the laptop, he would have signed it. He can't, so I've done it in his stead.