Guy Fawkes Night? Or has it become Guy Fawkes Week? (Bonfire Night in the UK)

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Bonfire Night in the UK
Date:	07/11/09 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Worthy event to remember

Disadvantages: Stretches too long, animals and kids

Okay, so technically, it's over again, for another year, but I felt I'd enter my tuppence worth, or thruppence worth, or however the saying goes. Guy Fawkes Night has historical significance, which is often forgotten, and is highlighted and celebrated each year on the 5th November, and is best explained by a popular and well known poem:

Remember, remember,
The Fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.

It stems from the Gunpowder Plot. On 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes led a small group of people whose intention was to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The plot was foiled when he was found in the cellars with the barrels of gunpowder, and he was tried and found guilty of treason. Each year on 5th November, the celebration is shown by putting an effegy of Guy (known as the guy!) on a bonfire, and also by lighting fireworks.

So, what happens now? Well, instead of getting a night of fireworks, it's extended to at least a week, stretching to include weekends, with people setting fireworks off left, right and centre, at a moment's notice. While I understand that it's hard to always manage to do the fireworks on the intended night, stretching it too far and making it so late often at night, can be a bit annoying. We have had trouble with our son sleeping at night over the past week or so because of fireworks being set off really late, sometimes even close to midnight, and it's really annoying.

Having said that, I'm a firm believer in the night being one to celebrate, and controlled events are all over the place. Last night, the 6th November, was an organised event near us to celebrate the night. It was arranged for a Friday to accommodate everyone who would be finishing a week at work, and less people needing to rest up so much. It was a nice night, despite getting drenched by the rain, and the fireworks were really nice as well. We met up with friends, and I suppose in a way, it has become a bit of a social event/occasion, and an excuse to meet up with people in a huge gathering, a sort of celebratory event, not quite like Christmas or anything, but an event that everyone can get together for. Under controlled circumstances, it was nice. The fireworks were spectacular, despite only lasting for a few minutes, and we really enjoyed it.

Please, please spare a thought for those with young children or pets. Events often send out flyers or advertise well in advance to let owners of pets or young children know that it's going to happen. My folks have owned cats since before I was born, and I know the cats go mental, scattering to dark corners, whenever there are fireworks, so it's always nice to be warned. However, this warning doesn't happen when it's a private firework event with a few in your back garden, so just bear this in mind, and perhaps give your closest neighbours a bit of a warning if you're going to do it, as they might be in the above category.

I like events like this, something to celebrate, and while events in Parliament over recent months may make people think blowing it up may not be such a bad thing, it's a foiled plot that is worth remembering, especially when there are still similar attempts around the world that are even more dangerous, and nothing like this should be taken lightly. It's worth taking a moment to remember exactly why we gather on a night like this, but don't forget to enjoy yourselves as well.

Summary: The night to remember the foiled plot to blow up Houses of Parliament