Blackbird Leys Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Blackbird Leys poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Blackbird Leys?

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

But what does it mean to people and why do they love them so much?

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

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 been celebrating Bonfire Nights ever since.

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

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

Two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Westminster.

The plan was to kill the king while he was there.

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

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

The Parliament shared the news that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November because it is a day to be thankful for.

Which led to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of 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 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 a lot like what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing happening during the night.

There are many things associated with this event.

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

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions even have their own special meals to prepare around the 5th of November.

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

Traditions associated with the night.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of Guy Fawkes and his band as they tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

Most of the time, there is a firework display followed by a large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

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

With some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember, you will get to enjoy some great firework displays as well.

There are some common traditions:

  • The biggest cities in the country have the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and firework displays.
  • The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people make soup for them. Some cooks cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that is eaten on the Bonfire Night. The cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • 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 straw or paper, and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy" Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to get some money for fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some parts of the country, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had for blowing up the Parliament building.

What should you wear to the events?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live.

It is an interesting approach in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a good time 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 against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to wear a costume.

At the end

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

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

It has impressed many people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved 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 many years.

Blackbird Leys Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Blackbird Leys, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Blackbird Leys Bonfire Night