Birchgrove Bonfire Night 2022

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

What should you know about Birchgrove's bonfire night?

An annual event over the years, the Bonfire Night is one of those incredible celebrations.

Why do people love the festivities so much?

Here’s a quick roundup to help you get up to speed with the Bonfire Night, its starting point and the reasons behind its amazing popularity.

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, and also to blow up the parliament.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated bonfires ever since.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in honor of being thankful.

We traveled to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the UK.

The origins of the event are sinister, but over the years it has become a community focused event.

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

The event looked similar as the 20th century went on.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

In preparation for the events, this is an interesting approach.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit is usually the right way to go here.

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

There are attractions during the night.

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

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires, food and drinks shared with the community, and smaller events.

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 can also enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

There are some traditions that are common:

• "Penny for the Guy" is a tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money to buy fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
• The bonfires are more than just a symbol of failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the people coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil with marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
• The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays for firework displays. Even in rural areas, you will find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
• 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 and straw and stuffed with old clothes.
• The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had for blowing up the Parliament building.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November as well, and they are eaten throughout the country.

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with other family members.

The Bonfire Night has traditions.

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

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 end with a firework display and a large bonfire.

Summing up

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

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

Over the years it has impressed many people.

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

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

Birchgrove Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Birchgrove, Swansea, Cymru / Wales, United Kingdom

Organiser: Birchgrove Bonfire Night