Great Wakering Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Great Wakering poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Great Wakering?

Over the years the Bonfire Night has been an annual event.

Why do people love these festivities?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night 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 celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

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

There was a vision that only an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

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

The plan was to kill the king while he was there.

However, a conspiracy member got cold feet and sent a letter to the parliament.

The other conspirators were taken into custody here after they learned of 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 light up bonfires on the 5th of November as a day to be thankful.

We made our way to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

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

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because the focus is on having fun.

The 20th century event looked similar to what we are experiencing today.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

It is an interesting approach to prepare for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is 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 cold weather is more than welcome.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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 as a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals to be prepared around the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

There are attractions during the night.

You are going to find a lot of amazing things to do in the UK.

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

It has become a community-focused event for a lot of people because they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

With some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember, you will get to enjoy some great firework displays as well.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • There is an interesting tradition called "Penny for the Guy". 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 planning to blow up the Parliament.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas, you will find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Nights. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the parliament building.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are just meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people heat up soup for the people watching the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil with marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

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

Over the years it 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.

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

Great Wakering Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Great Wakering, Rochford, Essex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Great Wakering Bonfire Night