About Me

I invite you to delve into the vivid tapestry of my lifelong affair with fireworks—a passion that has ignited and flourished since my earliest days in Headingley to the blissful realms of retirement. From organizing private and professional displays to steering a thriving retail venture, my journey has been a symphony of explosive joy, taking me across Europe and bringing me face-to-face with the legendary Joe Wan of Vulcan Fireworks.

The spark of my fascination was kindled amidst the cobbled back streets of my childhood in Headingley, where communal bonfire parties illuminated Guy Fawkes night. Amidst the aroma of plot toffee, parkin, and the crackle of bonfires, the luminosity of fireworks became a lifelong enchantment. At the tender age of 10, I orchestrated penny-for-the-guy collections, carefully curating lists of individually selected fireworks, earning the admiration of neighbours who eagerly contributed to the spectacle.

By the time I turned 12, I delved deeper into the explosive world, dismantling fireworks to uncover their secrets, and crafting my own, more extravagant pyrotechnic wonders. An ill-fated schoolyard detonation earned me a caning, but fortunately, my clandestine experimentation remained hidden from the discerning eye of the headmaster.

As adolescence ushered in newfound freedom on a motorcycle, I traversed the UK to witness and partake in a myriad of fiery displays. Settling down, I resumed the tradition of home fireworks, evolving from family selections to orchestrating elaborate displays, culminating in a millennium celebration that saw 60 neighbours united in a spectacular showcase, synchronised to music and featuring professional-grade fireworks.

Venturing further into the fiery realm, a business partnership led to the establishment of a prominent fireworks retail franchise at Stephen H Smiths garden centre in Otley. Our licensed explosives store allowed us access to awe-inspiring fireworks, from mortar shells to thunderous 1000-shot displays, pushing the boundaries of what I once thought possible.

In the present day, the competition for the most colossal single firework in the neighbourhood remains a vibrant tradition. Recently, a Klasek King of Fireworks F4, boasting 304 shots, 30/50mm tubes, nearly 8 kilograms NEC, and a hefty 65 kilograms gross weight, marked my latest endeavour.

 Dive into the kaleidoscopic world of fireworks through the pages of this captivating memoir. From the cobblestone streets of Headingley to the pinnacle of retirement, the author's passion for pyrotechnics has set a lifetime ablaze. Organizing private and professional displays, running a successful retail business, and crisscrossing Europe for the grandest spectacles—every chapter is a burst of vibrant experiences.

Relive the charm of communal bonfire parties, the aroma of plot toffee, and the crackle of roaring flames that fuelled the author's lifelong enchantment. A precocious ten-year-old orchestrating penny-for-the-guy collections, meticulously curating firework lists that impressed even the most discerning neighbours—each anecdote is a testament to the enduring magic of the craft.

As adolescence ushered in the freedom of a motorcycle, the author traversed the UK to witness and partake in myriad fiery displays. Settling down brought forth the resurgence of home firework displays, evolving from family selections to orchestrating elaborate showcases that culminated in a millennium celebration utilising electronically fired professional fireworks set to music with 60 neighbours.

Venturing further into the fiery realm, a business partnership led to the establishment of a prominent fireworks retail franchise, offering access to awe-inspiring displays, and professional fireworks from mortar shells to thunderous 1000-shot wonders. Today, the competition for the most colossal single firework in the neighbourhood remains a vibrant tradition, with the author proudly showcasing a Klasek King of Fireworks F4.

But the excitement doesn't end at home. In a departure from tradition, this year unfolds a unique adventure as the author travels to Reykjavik to witness the explosive spectacle of Icelandic New Year's Eve fireworks. In a land where pyrotechnic exuberance knows no bounds, eye protection is not just recommended—it's a necessity.

This memoir is a celebration of a lifelong love affair with the dazzling world of fireworks, a journey marked by passion, competition, and the enduring magic that continues to light up the author's world. 

  I have penned three books that delve into my professional career. "Alarming Stories" recounts my experiences as an apprentice intruder alarm engineer at Chubb Alarms from 1976 to 1980. Written in my signature style, each incident is presented as a concise, humorous short story, making the book a delightful and easy read. It unravels a world of rudeness, danger, humour, and injustice that characterised that era, all narrated with a touch of black humour.
 

"Alarming Stories II: Tales of a Security Engineer" picks up the narrative from 1980 to 1988, as I worked for various security companies. This volume documents the comical, nerve-wracking, and occasionally perilous incidents I encountered during this period. It serves as a reflection on the early days of intruder alarm systems in the UK and is best enjoyed alongside the original "Alarming Stories." 

Completing the trilogy, "Alarming Stories III: Tales of a Security Company Director" sheds light on my experiences as I navigated the realm of entrepreneurship, running my own security company from 1988 to 2001. In these pages, you'll find accounts of humour, embarrassment, frustration, annoyance, and unbelievable situations faced by both myself and my dedicated staff. This book is a recommended companion to the Alarming Stories trilogy.

All of my books are generously illustrated, with at least one image accompanying each short story. They are available for Kindle, Paperback and Hardback editions and for an immersive reading experience all my books are in colour, as it showcases hundreds of carefully selected images and photographs that enrich the storytelling.

In addition to these memoirs, My book, "It's Only the Dirty Ones We Don't Want," chronicles a ten-year period of My journey through life which began as the youngest member of my generation to sit the demanding 11+ exam, which eventually secured my place at Abbey Grange CofE School in Leeds. However, the initial excitement soon gave way to disappointment when I went to collect my free school uniform. To my dismay, Rawcliffe's provided a shabby version for children from less fortunate backgrounds. This ill-fated uniform set me apart from my peers, making me an easy target for bullies and further segregating me within the school community. The experiences I endured during my five years at that institution are nothing short of astonishing by today's standards, with a disciplinary approach reminiscent of a bygone Victorian era. These tales serve as a fascinating insight into the impact of government policies and school bureaucracy on children within the education system, and they are essential reading for anyone interested in social history, humour, and the challenges faced by young students of my era.
 

Following my departure from school. It captures my journey of self-discovery, from the early encounters with alcohol to the thrill of camping, the excitement of riding motorcycles, and the mysteries of young love. Featuring hundreds of illustrations and over 60 photographs from that time, this book serves as a poignant record of a bygone era, offering a blend of dark humour, tragedy, love and adventure at every turn.

 Philip Wilkinson, a proud Yorkshireman born in Headingley, Leeds, began his journey at Abbey Grange School and Kitson Technical College. Growing up amidst the close-knit community of Leeds, his passion for fireworks was ignited during bonfire parties.

Fuelling his curiosity, Philip delved into the inner workings of fireworks, progressing from dismantling them to crafting his own pyrotechnic creations. As a teenager in Moortown, his passion transitioned to commercial fireworks, culminating in the business of retailing fireworks in Yorkshire.

With a licensed explosives store, Philip gained access to professional-grade fireworks, orchestrating dazzling displays that marked a thrilling shift from his early days of backyard experimentation.