Chertsey Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Chertsey poster

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

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

The annual celebration of the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

What does it mean to people and why do they love these festivities so much?

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 because Bonfire Night is a way to celebrate.

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 he was thought to be against the Catholics.

Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed that an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

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

The king was in attendance there, so the plan was also to assassinate him during the process.

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

The conspirators who were involved in the plan were taken into custody here after they learned about it.

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in order to be thankful.

We eventually went to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

The origins of the event are sinister, but over the years it has become a community focused event.

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the focus on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

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

There are many foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee and the toffee apples are all associated with Bonfire Night.

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

Some families eat soup and share it with friends or family.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

There are some great 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.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a good time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

However, you will also get to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • There’s also a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is also a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Another interesting tradition comes in the form of “Penny for the Guy”. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. There are kids that blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are not just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook a lot of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very delicious.
  • In the UK, it is very common for people to burn a homemade model of a man. The effigy is usually made out of paper and straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • There are firework displays all over the country. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.

What are you going to wear for the event?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in various costumes.

In preparation for the events, this is an interesting approach.

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

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

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 traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

People in costumes use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers during 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, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display and a large bonfire.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night continues and has become a staple event.

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

Over the years it has been one of those events 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 over the years.

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

Chertsey Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Chertsey, Runnymede, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Chertsey Bonfire Night