The man described as “the master blaster and purveyor of explosions to royalty”, Major Michael Parker KCVO CBE, will be revealing a few of the real facts about staging some of this country’s biggest celebrations when he gives a talk at the Zimmerman Hall on Thursday, August 13.

During his 40-year career he has been involved in or led more than 70 national events including 28 Royal Tournaments, fireworks at the Queen’s Silver and Golden Jubilees and the 50th anniversary of VE Day.

Sir Michael’s events haven’t always gone entirely to plan, but he’s ready when they don’t: “My rule,” he says, “is always to be near the principal guest. That way you can get your excuses in.

“The Queen’s Silver Jubilee was terrible. Everything either went out, or was lit at the wrong time. I had no choice but to own up so I said to the Queen: ‘Your Majesty, I’m afraid that everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong.’ She turned to me and smiled and said, ‘Oh good, what fun.’”

Thursday’s talk will offer an irreverent look behind the scenes of many of these events “Sir Michael loves coming to Hereford,” says Erica Manley, who is organising the event for Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust. “He was educated at the Cathedral School and I hope we might also hear a little about what he got up to in his science lessons to make him such a pyromaniac and exhibitionist.”

Tickets for the talk at 2.30 pm on Thursday, August 13 can be purchased from the Three Choirs box office on 0845 6521823, 3choirs.org and on the door, subject to availability.