Corsham Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Corsham poster

Every year in Corsham, 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 Corsham's bonfire night?

An annual event over the years, the Bonfire Night is one of those incredible celebrations.

Why do people love these celebrations?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few minutes.

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

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

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

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

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

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

The king was present so the plan was to kill him.

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

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

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

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

We went to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK today.

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

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the fact that the focus was on having fun.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

You will find many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

Large bonfires and local events, food and drinks are shared with the community in the countryside regions.

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

You will also get to enjoy some great firework displays with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. A few days before the Bonfire Night, kids used to take the homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to ask for some money for the fireworks. In some regions 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 not only meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. The crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup for them. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat during Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • 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, in order to blow up the parliament building.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest fireworks displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration.

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

In fact, things like the jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee or the toffee apples are widely associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

Some families share soups with friends or family members.

What should you wear to the events?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and is being prepared for the events.

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

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.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

During Bonfire Night, people parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers.

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

It's a great time for people to celebrate and eat amazing foods.

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

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

Corsham Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Corsham, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Corsham Bonfire Night