Astley Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Astley poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Astley?

The annual event that has been adopted as an annual event is the Bonfire Night.

Why do people love these festivities so much, what does it mean?

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

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

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 in the UK.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was considered to be racist against the Catholics.

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

The people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him during the process.

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators were also taken into custody after they learned of the plan.

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November as a way to be thankful.

We went to the Bonfire Night due to this.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

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

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

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

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

There are a lot of foods associated with the event.

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

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

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends or family members.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in different costumes during Bonfire Night.

This is in preparation for the events, and it’s quite an interesting approach.

The Bonfire Night is a great time to show off your winter clothes.

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

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

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers when they parade in costumes.

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

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

There are attractions during the night.

There are some great attractions and events in the UK.

Large bonfires, local events, food and drinks are shared with the community in the countryside regions where smaller events also take place.

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

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

There are some common traditions:

  • During Bonfire Night, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the parliament building.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, which is why they are not just a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people cook soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the eve of Bonfire Night. There is a cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • There are firework displays all over the country. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find amazing firework displays and bonfires.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is usually made from straw or paper and stuffed into old clothes.
  • One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money to buy fireworks. In some areas, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

At the end

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

It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some great foods.

It is one of the events that have impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has become a more community-friendly event.

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

Astley Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Astley, Rindle Road, Lower Green, Astley, Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, M29 7LS, United Kingdom

Organiser: Astley Bonfire Night