Grangefield Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Grangefield poster

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

What should you know about Grangefield's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years.

Why do people love the festivities so much?

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

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

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

The Bonfire Night was celebrated in 1605 and people have been celebrating ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

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

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

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

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

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

The Parliament made a statement about 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 hence the tradition to light bonfires.

We ended up at the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities throughout the UK.

Over the years it has become a community-focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night" because it was focused on having fun.

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

Traditions associated with the night of the bonfire.

People parade in costumes and 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, a celebration of independence but in a safe manner.

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

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night?

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

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are all 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.

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

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 by the community.

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 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.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". 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 country you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people cook soup for them. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional dessert people eat on Bonfire Night. There is syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle in this cake.
  • 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 or straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions there is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country have firework displays. Even in rural areas, you will find amazing firework displays and bonfires all over the country.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

This is in preparation for the events, and it’s quite 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 usually the correct 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.

Conclusion

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

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

Over the years, it's one of those events that has impressed people.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event over the years.

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come, because happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night.

Grangefield Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Grangefield, Stockton-on-Tees, Tees Valley, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Grangefield Bonfire Night