Earley Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Earley poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Earley?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event, one of the incredible festivities and celebrations.

Why do 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 Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of that attempt.

Since 1605 people have celebrated Bonfire Night.

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

At that time, Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics with the vision that only an armed struggle would reinstate Catholicism to the rightful place.

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

The plan was to kill the king during the process.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

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

The Parliament made a statement regarding the situation and shared that the conspirators were 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 made our way to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in many locations.

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

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

The event of the 20th century looked similar to what we are seeing today.

The traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

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

It is obvious 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.

Most of the time, there is a firework display followed by a large bonfire.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The Bonfire Night celebrations are more than just a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many things associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

It’s also important to note that some families eat soups too, and they share it with friends or other family members.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

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

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

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

You are going to find a lot of 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.

Yes, 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 get 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 common traditions:

  • 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.
  • The biggest cities in the country have some of the largest firework displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money for the fireworks. 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 not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. There is a traditional cake named the parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and then burn it. All of the effigy is stuffed within old clothes and made out of straw or paper.

At the end

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

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

The event has 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.

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!

Earley Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Lower Earley, Earley, West Berkshire, England, RG6 5PR, United Kingdom

Organiser: Earley Bonfire Night