Every year around this time I receive a flurry of correspondence regarding fireworks usage in the local area – with professionally organised bonfire displays which in the past would have been a fixture such as Winterfest in Drumchapel and the Glasgow Green display no longer happening, many of the events now taking place are largely unregulated and see individuals purchasing fireworks to let off themselves.

And instead of these private displays being isolated to November 5 itself – we now see (and hear) them in the weeks before and after – in some cases little regard is given to the restrictions put in place or thought given to the impact fireworks can have on members of our community which is why I firmly believe that we need tighter regulation when it comes to fireworks.

My colleague in Drumchapel/Anniesland, Councillor Paul Carey BEM, has been a long-standing campaigner on this issue for almost 20 years, writing to governments both in Holyrood and Westminster on this issue as well as educating colleagues in the council about why we need to take action – calling for a ban on fireworks, except for professional displays and I couldn’t agree more.

And this isn’t a controversial take – veterans charities, organisations who support those with autism as well as animal advocacy groups have all shown support for similar proposals – tougher measures on the sale of fireworks and any public display having to be licensed. In addition, over one million people have signed a petition which has now been delivered to the UK Government asking for a review into the rules and regulations around fireworks.

Reading the stories of how those who have served in our military and live with PTSD are negatively impacted by fireworks, how those with sensory sensitivities quickly become overwhelmed by their usage as well as the undue anxiety caused to our pets and wildlife who cannot comprehend what is happening has only made me more firm in my belief that we need to take action.

Finally, I will mention the news story that for the past week I just cannot get out of my mind – as an animal lover. Last week, we heard the tragic news from Edinburgh Zoo announcing the death of three-month-old baby red panda, Roxie – they advised that their expert veterinary team determined that they believe it was stress caused by nearby fireworks on Bonfire Night that resulted in her passing. They also believe that her mother, Ginger, died of the same reason just five days before on Halloween. The news made headlines worldwide. Two beautiful, endangered animals gone – there is no other word for it but heartbreaking.

I, like many others, can no longer enjoy fireworks knowing the unnecessary stress and upset it causes to members of our own community as well as the animals that we love so much.

The trauma they cause absolutely outweighs the little bit of magic they may bring for those few seconds.