Biddulph Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Biddulph poster

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

What should you know about Biddulph'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 things so much?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament, which is why Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK.

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 considered to be racist against the Catholics.

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

Two supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The plan was to assassinate the king because he was in attendance.

The conspiracy member got cold feet and sent a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators were taken into custody after learning about the plan.

The Parliament stated that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for and hence the tradition to light up bonfires.

We were eventually led to the Bonfire Night.

There are many Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

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

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because the focus was on having fun.

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

There are attractions during the night.

You will find many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but there are also smaller events.

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people because they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

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

Some traditions are common:

  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food and are not just a symbol of the failed complot. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people cook soup for them. Some cooks wrap potatoes in a foil and cook them with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of the bonfire. This cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it’s very tasty.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays. You are bound to find firework displays and bonfires all over the country.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans of Guy Fawkes and his team to blow up the Parliament building.

What should you wear to the event?

It's interesting that people tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live.

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

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

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

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

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night events are not only a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are lots of foods 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 throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November as well.

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

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

This is 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.

There is a firework display and a large bonfire at most of the time.

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night continues and has become a staple event.

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

Over the years, it has impressed people.

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 a good time, and we can expect this event to go on for many years to come.

Biddulph Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Biddulph, Staffordshire Moorlands, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Biddulph Bonfire Night