Barnard Castle Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Barnard Castle poster

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

What information is important to know about Barnard Castle's Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years.

Why do people like these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick article.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Bonfire Night exists in the UK is because it’s 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 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated the night ever since.

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

Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

The supporters came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The king was present and the plan was to kill him.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

Once they learned about the plan, Fawkes and Catesby as well as the other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here.

The Parliament shared the fact that the conspirators were caught and punished in a public statement.

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

We ended up at the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Despite the fact that the origins of the event are sinister, it has become a community-focused event over the years.

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more similar to what we are experiencing today.

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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

It is clear that this is a nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

There are some great attractions and events in the UK.

Smaller events also take place in countryside regions too, although here you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community.

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 firework displays for a night to remember.

Common traditions are here:

  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is another interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to Bonfire Night to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some parts of the world you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.

What should you wear to the event?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in various costumes.

This is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great chance for most people to show off their winter clothing.

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

A proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to dress up.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of the Bonfire Night are more than just a celebration with bonfires.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee and the toffee apples are all 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 eat soup and share it with other family members.

Conclusion

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

It’s certainly one of those events that have impressed people over the years.

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

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

Barnard Castle Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Barnard Castle, County Durham, North East, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Barnard Castle Bonfire Night