Becontree Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Becontree poster

Every year in Becontree, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, with fireworks lighting up the skies across the county of Greater London.

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Becontree?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event.

What is it that people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity 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 and also blow up the parliament in the UK.

In 1605 this happened and people have celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

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

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

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

The king was in attendance so the plan was to kill him.

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

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

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 due to being a day to be thankful for.

It led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite the fact that it's origins are sinister.

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

The event of the 20th century looked very similar to what we are seeing today.

The Bonfire Night is associated with traditions.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence, but in a safe way.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events are culminating with a firework display and a very large bonfire.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebration of the night.

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 Bonfire Night.

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

Some families eat soups and share them with friends or other family members.

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

The UK has many amazing attractions and events.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires and local events with food and drinks 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 people.

You can also 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 are common:

  • Some of the biggest cities in the country get some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". 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 country you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. People heat up soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw, and stuffed with old clothes.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, to blow up the Parliament building.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

It is quite interesting that this is being prepared for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great place for people to show off their winter clothes.

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here and something to keep in mind.

If you want to protect yourself from the cold weather, a proper outfit is more than welcome.

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

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

The event has impressed people over the years.

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

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!

Becontree Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Becontree, Gale Street, Becontree, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, London, Greater London, England, RM9 4TP, United Kingdom

Organiser: Becontree Bonfire Night