Bitterne Bonfire Night 2022
Every year in Bitterne, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Hampshire we gather around the bonfire.
What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Bitterne?
The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.
What is it that makes people love these events so much?
You can get up to speed with 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 and also blow up the parliament in the UK.
Since 1605 people have celebrated Bonfire Night.
At that time there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.
Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring back Catholicism to its rightful place.
The two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.
The plan was to assassinate the king because he was there.
A conspiracy member who was cold feet sent a letter to the parliament.
The conspirators who were involved in the plan were taken into custody after they learned about it.
The Parliament stated that the conspirators were caught and punished.
The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in honor of being thankful for it.
We went to the Bonfire Night due to that.
Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK in locations like Hampshire.
The origins of Bonfire Night are sinister, but over the years it has become a community focused event.
The focus is on having fun, which is why the celebration was rebranded at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night.
As the 20th century progressed, the event looked similar to what we are experiencing today.
Traditions associated with the Bonfire Night
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, a celebration of independence, but in a safe way.
Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events include a firework display and a large bonfire.
Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?
The celebration with bonfires and fireworks is not the only thing going on.
There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.
The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee or the toffee apples are all associated with the Bonfire Night.
These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.
Some families eat soups and share them with friends or other family members.
What should you wear?
People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night
This approach is quite interesting, and it is in preparation for the events.
The Bonfire Night is a great time to show off your winter clothes.
Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here in winter.
You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that helps you protect yourself against the cold weather is more than welcome.
There are attractions during Bonfire Night.
There are many amazing attractions in the UK.
In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared by 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 be able to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.
These are some traditions that are common:
- The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is also a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
- In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straws or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
- The bonfires are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. In fact, a lot of people heat up soup for the crowds coming by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle in this cake.
- The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before Bonfire Night. In some parts of the country 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 biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays for firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
In the end
Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.
It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some amazing foods.
Over the years, it has been one of those things that have impressed people.
Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it became a more community-friendly event.
The most important parts of the event are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.
Bitterne Bonfire Night Event
Date: 5th November 2022
Start Time: 6pm
Finish Time: 11pm
Address: Bitterne Grove, Dunbridge, Mottisfont, Test Valley, Hampshire, England, SO51 0LF, United Kingdom
Organiser: Bitterne Bonfire Night
