Buckland Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Buckland poster

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

What information is important to know about Buckland's Bonfire Night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has been 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 overview.

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Bonfire Night exists in the UK is because it’s a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, while also attempting to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened and people have been celebrating bonfires ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact that he was against the catholics.

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

Some people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The plan was to assassinate the king during the process.

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

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

The Parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished in a public statement.

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

Which led us to the Bonfire Night.

In locations like Kent, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

Despite the fact that the origins of the event are sinister, it has become a community event over the years.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked a lot like what we are seeing today.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The celebration with bonfires and fireworks is not the only thing happening.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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

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

Some families share their soups with friends or other family members.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

You will find a lot of 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 smaller events also take place.

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people, where everyone has a great time and 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 pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some common traditions:

  • There are firework displays all over the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find incredible firework displays.
  • 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. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people make soup for them. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and marshmallows or sausages as well. There’s also a traditional cake that people eat on the Bonfire Night, named the Parking Cake. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. This effigy is meant to represent Guy Fawkes, and it’s usually made out of straw or paper, all of it stuffed within old clothes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some regions you can even find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes and his band to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

The majority of the time, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display and large bonfire.

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in a variety of costumes.

This approach is quite interesting and is in preparation for the events.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is a good way to go here.

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

Bottom line

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event, and continues every year.

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

It is one of those events that has impressed people over the years.

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

The most important part of Bonfire Night is happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Buckland Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Buckland, Dover, River, Dover, Kent, England, CT17 0FG, United Kingdom

Organiser: Buckland Bonfire Night