Goodmayes Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Goodmayes poster

Every year in Goodmayes, 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 Goodmayes?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for many years.

But what is it that makes people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick overview.

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 been celebrating bonfires ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king at that time, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

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

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

The plan was to kill the king when he was in attendance.

A conspiracy member who was cold feet sent a letter to the parliament.

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

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

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

We decided to attend the Bonfire Night.

In locations like Greater London, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its origins being sinister.

The celebration was renamed 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.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are not only a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November as well.

Some families eat soups and share them with friends or other family members.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

You will also be able 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:

  • The bonfires aren't just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake eaten on the Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very tasty.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities in the country. There are bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • A tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is common for people in the UK to make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Another interesting tradition comes in the form of “Penny for the Guy”. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money to buy fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

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

The Bonfire Night is a great 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 usually the way to go here.

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather.

Traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events include a firework display and large bonfire.

In the end

Over time, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

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 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 many years to come!

Goodmayes Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Goodmayes, Goodmayes Road, Goodmayes, Chadwell Heath, Ilford, London, Greater London, England, IG3 9UH, United Kingdom

Organiser: Goodmayes Bonfire Night