Calne Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Calne poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Calne?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible festivities.

What is it that people love these celebrations so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that he wanted to blow up the parliament.

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 many thought he was against the Catholics.

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

A group of people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was to assassinate the king when he was there.

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament, but ended up getting cold feet.

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

The Parliament made a public statement stating that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for.

Which lead us to the Bonfire Night.

There are lots of 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 celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because it was focused on having fun.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are a lot of amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, as well as 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 will be able to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds coming by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to Bonfire Night to ask for money to buy fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some parts of the country, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • Some of the largest fireworks displays can be found in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. The effigy is made out of straw or paper 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, in order to blow up the parliament building.

What should you wear?

Depending on where they live, people tend to dress up in different costumes on Bonfire Night.

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

The Bonfire Night is a good time for most people to show off their winter wardrobe.

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't need to dress up in a costume.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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 the toffee apples are all associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

There are traditions associated with the night.

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

It is obvious that this is a nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

Most of the time, these events end with a large bonfire and firework display.

Conclusion

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

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

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

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years the event has become 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 years and years to come.

Calne Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Calne, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Calne Bonfire Night