Friday 4 November 2011

Guy Fawkes.

Hello Friends,
Another week has flown past and we now find ourselves in November. I can hardly believe it, we have been blessed with such mild weather. I still have my sandals on I don't think that has ever happened...
Trick and treat has been and gone and as always I have not had anyone knocking at my door. where I live in the village we do not have street lighting so I imagine the wee ones would not like that !! so all is quiet.  Our next event is on 5th. November when it will be anything but quiet....

For 400 years, bonfires have burned  on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot.

The tradition of Guy Fawkes-related bonfires actually began the very same year as the failed coup. The Plot was foiled in the night between the 4th and 5th of November 1605. Already on the 5th, agitated Londoners who knew little more than that their King had been saved, joyfully lit bonfires in thanksgiving. As years progressed, however, the ritual became more elaborate.

Soon, people began placing effigies onto bonfires, and fireworks were added to the celebrations. Effigies of Guy Fawkes, and sometimes those of the Pope, graced the pyres. Still today, some communities throw dummies of both Guy Fawkes and the Pope on the bonfire (and even those of a contemporary politician or two), although the gesture is seen by most as a quirky tradition, rather than an expression of hostility towards the Pope.(not so sure of the politicians though !!) 

Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes, which is called "the Guy". Some children even keep up an old tradition of walking in the streets, carrying "the Guy" they have just made, and beg passersby for "a penny for the Guy." The kids use the money to buy fireworks for the evening festivities.

On the night itself, Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks displays fill the sky. when I was young my Dad was always in charge of the bonfire and fireworks. We usually had baked potatoes in the bonfire and when it died down we were able to grab those black half cooked potatoes and ate them with glee !! today we would probably die before we ate them and certainly health and security folks would probably be at our door  LOL   I do enjoy the wonderful display that the fireworks make but these days it is difficult as Dee and most wee dogs I know are terrified of the whizz, and bangs of the fireworks and so I have to keep indoors with the radio or Tv on at high blast to try to counteract the sound of the fireworks etc..It is bad enough on the actualy 5th. Nov. but it seems to go on for a week nowadays, although to be truthful this year it has been much quieter...thank goodness. But come tomorrow night I know I will have one wee cowering dog....

The extent of the celebrations and the size of the bonfire varies from one community to the next. Lewes, in the South East of England, is famous for its Bonfire Night festivities and consistently attracts thousands of people each year to participate.

Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies during the centuries. It was actively celebrated in New England as "Pope Day" as late as the 18th century. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada.

Please take great care if you are having fireworks or bonfire. There are so many accidents it is usually safer to go to an organised party.

Goodnight friends God Bless  and remember to..... LOVE ONE ANOTHER...

9 comments:

  1. they should be banned.only displays allowed.i have one terrified cat,under table,what sounds like a full scale invasion of stiffkey going on outside,ban them. miserable i know of me.but i hate the damn things. some nice displays near here,and most are cheaper to go to than buying them. have a stress free time,tc love mort xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. It sounds a bit like our 4th of July celebration with all the fireworks there. It's a noisy time here too and most attend organized fireworks displays but every year there is always a report or two of someone hurt trying to do their own. Hope it continues to be on the quiet side for you. Hope your weekend is a pleasant and safe one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This has been the quietest bonfire week I have ever had Sybil.Being new to this area,I wondered how I would go.No firworks heard up to press,thank goodness.It has been heaven not having them air bombs scare me half to death for a change.Rooster arrived over here from the coast earlier, for the weekend and he said, he had seen and passed quite a few fires on his 80 mile journey.I feel so sorry for people with pets,they surely are terrified poor things.My family always go to the organised ones.They are much safer that way.I hope you feel much better this evening and you have a good nights sleep.Take Gare God Bless Stay safe.Love Ya Kath xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just last week I finally replaced my flip flops for shoes and socks for the walk from the house to the studio. It is now feeling like autumn here in Maryland.

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think this year for the first time ever since I came over here I am going to go out for a walk on Bonfire night and see if I can see any fireworks. I never have done, but I feel like I want to. I have a few polititians I'd like to throw on the bonfire, lol! Do you think it would help? I dunno! Have a grea weekend friend and thanks for everything. Love you lots. xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hope you had a good "Guy" day. Besides our snow last weekend we've had a beautiful weather in the last few days and my long weekend in Chicago was gorgeous. Still have some bright leaves on the trees and we were able to get out for some wonderful walks.

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. A friend of mine once remarked that Guy Fawkes was the last person to enter parliament with honourable intentions.............how true is that I wonder?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello Dear. I hope that the 5th went well and you enjoyed the holiday. I also hope that you are doing well. I am sending you hugs and best wishes. Have a great week. Love, Lura

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hope that you enjoyed the fireworks! I always go out to see fireworks here on July 4th for Independence day. We don't have bonfires on July 4th but it's a bit hot in July for fires! Thanks for sharing a bit of history and culture!

    ReplyDelete