By the end of August, most of the village feasts that characterise the Maltese summer would be over. Very few towns and villages are still to celebrate their patron saint this month, before the official calendar of feasts comes to an end in Cospicua on 8 December.

This year, so far, we have thankfully had a peaceful summer. No major fights have been reported, and no drastic police intervention was necessary. No news is good news, it is always said.

The Curia must be pleased with this outcome. After a horrible year for the Maltese Church – the sexual abuse by priests and the divorce issue dealt huge blows to the credibility of the Church – at least it did not have to face yet another challenge on feasts, as it had to do in the past.

Of course, this does not mean that no problems remain.

For one thing, the noise pollution created by fireworks is a subject of hot debate. While many agree that the colourful displays are worth having, many question the need to have fireworks that are just noise and nothing else but disturbance, especially for the elderly, the sick and children.

This tradition has been with us from time immemorial, and there is always controversy when someone suggests that it is eliminated.

A greater inconvenience is the closing down of roads leading to the centre of the town or city where the feast is being celebrated.

One understands that the roads where the procession or band marches are taking place are free of cars. But why should other roads, well away from the centre, be closed as well?

There is another issue that concerns the traffic flow – and this mostly affects people who do not live in the town or village where a feast is taking place, but need to go there or pass through.

It would be helpful if there are public announcements, made by the police, Transport Malta and the parish in question, that indicate which roads are going to be closed, at what time, and which alternative routes can be used for people to arrive at their destination.

Not everyone likes feasts, not everyone knows what feasts are taking place and where, and not everyone would be familiar with the village or town where roads are closed. Such information would be beneficial for those who want to continue with their normal lives.