Acton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Acton poster

Every year in Acton, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Greater London we gather around the bonfire.

What should you know about Acton's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event, one of those incredible festivities and celebrations.

Why do people love these events so much?

You can get up to speed on the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick rundown.

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, while also attempting to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated it ever since.

At that time there was a lot of anger against the king since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to return Catholicism to its rightful place.

The supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The plan was to assassinate the king when he was there.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but was cold feet.

The conspirators were taken into custody after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in order to be thankful for.

Which, eventually, led us to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the place.

The origins of the event are sinister, but it has become a community focused event over the years.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers due to the focus on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked a lot like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are popular during celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing going on during the night.

There are many things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are just some of the things associated with the Bonfire Night.

Some regions have their own special meals to be prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families share soups with friends or other family members.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are some amazing attractions and events in the UK.

Food and drinks are shared with the community at smaller events that take place in countryside regions.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like minded people.

You will also get to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that exist:

  • Some of the largest firework displays can be found in the biggest cities in the country. Even in rural areas you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in a bid to get some money for the fireworks. In some parts of the world, you can find kids blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a lot of food. In fact, a lot of people heat up soup for the crowds coming by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. People eat the parking cake on Bonfire Night. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. This is a reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

Depending on where they live, people tend to dress up in various costumes on Bonfire Night

This is in preparation for the events, and it is interesting.

Most people like to show off their winter clothes during the Bonfire Night.

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go.

Even though you don't have to dress up in a costume, a proper outfit that protects you against the cold is more than welcome.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers during Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they attempted to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events include a firework display and a large bonfire.

Conclusion

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

It is a great time for people to get together and enjoy some great food.

It is one of those events that have impressed people in the past.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there’s no denying that over the years Bonfire Night shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

The most important parts of Bonfire Night are happiness and good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Acton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Acton, London Borough of Ealing, London, Greater London, England, W3 9NX, United Kingdom

Organiser: Acton Bonfire Night