Issue 39 of Fireworks contains 48 pages of news, views, information, history, nostalgia, pictures and readers' comments (as described on BBC TV, radio and the national press), with double colour.

Main items are: Foti Fireworks and the 2000 Sydney Olympics fireworks: Barry Sturman combines history with the present;

Reflections on the Torch: Mike Wilson on how he designed the Olympic torch - and a historical perspective;

US Update: Jack Drewes describes the origins of pyro journalism, from Van to his take-over of APFN;

Antipodean Jottings: Barry Sturman at his caustic and humorous best;

Trade Information from Ron Lancaster (BPA), Tom Smith (EIG) and Chris Raymond (HSE);

Natasha Webb: John Bennett profiles the controversial queen of pyrotechnics;

British Firework Championships: Plymouth described with Natasha Webb's usual gusto;

The Other End of the Scale: Tony Wilk's shows may be small but they're good, and his description is a lively one;

The Black Cat Settles in Huddersfield: Lots of things you didn't know about Black Cat. Neither did John Bennett;

Fourth of July, Orange, California: Chris Squyres presents his annual report;

Pyrotechnic Course in England: The Kosankes are back. Bonnie Kosanke describes what's in store;

A Letter from America: Larry Crump features a new brand of fireworker epitomized by Amber Dover and Jonathan Young;

PGI Convention Report: Paul Birch is back - still winning prizes;

Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations: Tom Smith describes the draft - you must be aware of it;

Tom Smith Report: An entertaining piece of cynicism about the cancellation of the 2001 London show;

Walking the Plank: Liz Pugh starts walking;

Fireworks in the Forest of Dean: The first of a new series, Made in Great Britain: John Bennett features Dean Fireworks;

AND ...Guy Fawkes Editorial;

Cartoons from 1927;

Round up;

Three new books and three new videos considered;

Letters;

Illustrations of Brock's, Standard and pre-1957 Vulcan fireworks, and Sydney Olympics;

Standard from the air, and old sheds (colour) - and the youngsters of pyrotechnics;

Natasha Webb and Black Cat WITH: Considerable coverage of that TV programme;

Firework ban - we know to the contrary;

Why did the Fireworks Bill fail? - new evidence;

Firework trade to fight back? New explosives regulations in Australia;

News of national and international firework events in: Macau, Florida, Shugborough, Hanover, San Remo;

Fireworks in China;

Syd Howard on TV;

Exemption to ADR Regs for small operators;

Catherine wheels to rid the lawn of moles - are we being sent up?;

Fireworks from China - dangers of all eggs in one basket?;

10 best firework display competition websites; Guangdong disaster;

Sale of Australia's national firework association website;

Carriers will carry fireworks;

Ditchling Display;

Theft of fireworks;

Message from HSE;

Michael Ackroyd again;

Brothers Pyrotechnics museum;
Tony Cardell wins honour;

George Amabilino's last display;

Connecticut the red tape;

Panther move;

Anti-firework web site fires shots at Fireworks;

Pyrotechnica lives;

Cumbrian Pyromania & Fantasia - new start?

Issue 39 is sponsored by The Explosives Industry Group (CBI)