In 1605, Guy Fawkes and other conspirators planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England. The night of its state opening November 5th. The aim of the “Gunpower Plot,” as it became known, was to kill the Protestant King, King James 1. Thanks to an anonymous tip-off, Fawkes was discovered, and the plot failed.  

Instead of letting Fawkes disappear into history, Parliament decided to declare November 5th a National Day of Thanksgiving. This was to be marked with bonfires, fireworks, and festivals, the first of which occurred a year later in 1606.

The event, known as Guy Fawkes night, Bonfire night, or Fireworks night, depending on who you speak to, has been a British Tradition for over 400 years. Of course, people didn’t have much choice to start with, as from 1606-1959, it was illegal not to celebrate this night in Britain. However, there was a break during WW1 and WW2 due to the setting off of fireworks and the lighting of bonfires being banned so enemy bombers didn’t spot them, so the people celebrated in their homes instead.  

For many of these years, children would build a guy out of old clothes, stuff them with either straw or wood, place them in carts, and pull them around the streets asking people they meet for “Penny for the guy,” a saying that has been passed down through the generations. Any money the children got would be used to purchase fireworks! Of course, as the years went on, this changed to buying sweets instead. This guy would then end up on top of either the home bonfire or community bonfire, to be burned to cheers as the fireworks went off.  

This tradition has sadly died off as community bonfires take over or fireworks displays become more popular. Health and Safety is a top issue at these events now, whereas, in the 80s and 90s, they didn’t give a shit!

Bonfires went really high; in some cases, multiple guys would be placed upon them as they didn’t want to let the kids down. There was always one bloke setting off the fireworks who had already had 6 pints before the first firework went off and was stumbling when lighting the last one.  

Yet the community came together for this one night; kids waved Sparklers, adults talked to people they usually wouldn’t, and plenty of food and drinks, fireworks and laughter; a night to remember!

This was written by our contributing writer, Leah Palmer.