Catford Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Catford poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Catford?

The Bonfire Night is an annual event that has been adopted as an incredible celebration over the years.

Why do people love these festivities?

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

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating the night ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king because he was seen as being against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

The supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Commons.

The king was in attendance, so the plan was to assassinate him.

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

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

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

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

Which eventually took us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister in nature, over the years Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event.

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

The event of the 20th century looked a lot like what we are seeing today.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

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

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here and something to keep in mind.

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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

There are many foods associated with the event.

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

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

It is important to note that some families share their soups with friends or family members.

Traditions associated with the night of bonfires

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

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

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

There are attractions during the night.

There are some amazing attractions in the UK.

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

It 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 get to watch some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

Some traditions are common:

  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the biggest firework displays. Even in rural areas you are bound to find bonfires and firework displays.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some parts of the world, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a wide range of food. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake eaten on the Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the parliament building.

Conclusion

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

It is a great time for people to relax and enjoy some great food.

Over the years, it has been one of the most popular events.

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

Catford Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Catford, London, Greater London, England, SE6 4BD, United Kingdom

Organiser: Catford Bonfire Night