Ashton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Ashton poster

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

What should you know about Ashton's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for a long time.

Why do people love these things so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few minutes.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because of the celebration of Bonfire Night.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring about the return of Catholicism to the rightful place.

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

There was a plan to assassinate the king because he was in attendance.

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

The other conspirators were taken into custody here once they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators were punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for.

Which lead us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister in nature.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers because it was focused on having fun.

In the 20th century, the event looked similar to what we are experiencing today.

There are some traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers on Bonfire Night.

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes and his band to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

The majority of the time, these events include a firework display and a large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks shared with the community.

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people, where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

With some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember, you will get to enjoy some great firework displays as well.

Some traditions are common:

  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities in the country. Even in rural areas you are bound to find bonfires and firework displays.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had in order to blow up the parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook food. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup for them. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in a bid to get some money for fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

This approach is quite interesting and is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a good time for most people to show off their winter clothes.

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

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you against cold weather is more than welcome.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night?

Bonfires and fireworks are not the only things that can be celebrated at the Bonfire Night events.

There are a lot of things associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and toffee apples are all associated with the Bonfire Night.

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with friends and other family members.

At the end

Bonfire Night has become a staple event over the years, and it continues every year.

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

People have been impressed by it over the years.

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

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

Ashton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Ashton, Gourock, Inverclyde, Alba / Scotland, PA19 1DF, United Kingdom

Organiser: Ashton Bonfire Night