Kempston Hardwick Bonfire Night 2022
Every year in Kempston Hardwick, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, with fireworks lighting up the skies across the county of Bedfordshire.
What should you know about Kempston Hardwick's bonfire night?
The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.
Why do people love the festivities so much?
You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick rundown.
Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?
Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I and also tried to blow up the parliament, which is why Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK.
In 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated the night ever since.
There was a lot of anger against the king at that time, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.
Robert and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.
Two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Commons.
The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him.
A conspiracy member got cold feet and sent a letter to parliament.
The conspirators were taken into custody here once they learned about the plan.
The Parliament shared the fact 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 went to the Bonfire Night.
In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in a number of locations.
Despite the fact that its origins are sinister, the event has become a community-focused event over the years.
The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century because the focus was on having fun.
As the 20th century progressed, the event looked similar to what we are experiencing today.
There are attractions at Bonfire Night.
There are many attractions and events in the UK.
In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but there are also smaller events.
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.
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.
There are some traditions that are common:
- "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take the homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks. In some regions you can even find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
- During Bonfire Night, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
- There are firework displays all over the country. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find incredible firework displays.
- It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. The effigy is usually made out of straws or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
- The bonfires are not meant just to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
Traditions related to the night of bonfires.
People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers during Bonfire Night.
It is 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 way.
Most of the time, these events end with a large bonfire and firework display.
Which foods are popular during the night?
The Bonfire Night events are more than a celebration with fireworks.
There are a lot of foods associated with the event.
The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee and the toffee apples are some of the things that are 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 their soups with their friends or family members.
What should you wear?
Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in different costumes for Bonfire Night.
This is in preparation for the events, and it’s quite an interesting approach.
The Bonfire Night is a great place for people to show off their winter clothes.
A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here.
A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to wear a costume.
Summing up
Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event and continues every year.
It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some amazing foods.
Over the years, it has been one of those events that impressed people.
Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years it 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 to continue for years and years to come.
Kempston Hardwick Bonfire Night Event
Date: 5th November 2022
Start Time: 6pm
Finish Time: 11pm
Address: Kempston Hardwick, Stewartby, Bedford, England, MK43 9NT, United Kingdom
Organiser: Kempston Hardwick Bonfire Night
