Kirkley Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Kirkley poster

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

What should you know about Kirkley's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event for a long time.

But what does it signify and why do people love these festivities so much?

Here’s a quick roundup to help you get up to speed with the Bonfire Night, its starting point and the reasons behind its amazing popularity.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I, while also attempting to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, and people have been celebrating the night ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was thought to be against the Catholics.

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to return Catholicism to the rightful place.

The two and other supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance and so the plan was to kill him.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but he was cold feet.

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

The Parliament made a public statement stating that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November because it is a day to be thankful for.

We went to the Bonfire Night after that.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the UK.

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 due to the focus being on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked more and more similar to 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 lots of foods associated with the event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas and treacle toffee are just some of the things associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are some amazing attractions in the UK.

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

You will also get to enjoy some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

Some traditions are common:

  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straws or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels on the shoulders are a tradition. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil, as well as marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle is very tasty.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is another interesting tradition. 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 regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and is being prepared for the events.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go there.

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

Traditions associated with the night of the bonfire.

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

It is clear that this is a nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

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

Summing up

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

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

It is one of those events that has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it became a more community-friendly event over the years.

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

Kirkley Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Kirkley, Lowestoft, East Suffolk, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Kirkley Bonfire Night