Longton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Longton poster

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

What should you know about Longton's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has become an annual event over the years and is one of those incredible festivities.

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

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick recap.

What is a common association with Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of the event.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating Bonfire Nights ever since.

What happened at that time is that there was a lot of anger against the king, since many considered he was intolerant against the Catholics.

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

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

The king was present, so the plan was to kill him.

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament but ended up getting cold feet.

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

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

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

We ended up at the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed throughout the UK in locations like Staffordshire.

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

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

The event of the 20th century was more similar to what we are currently experiencing.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing going on.

There are many things associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November, which is when these are eaten throughout the country.

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

What should you wear?

The interesting thing to note about Bonfire Night is that people tend to dress up in various costumes, depending on where they live.

It is an interesting approach to prepare 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 here.

You don't have to dress up in a costume, but a proper outfit that protects you against cold weather is more than welcome.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are some great attractions and events in the UK.

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

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other people.

You will 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:

  • In the UK, it is very common for people to make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The largest cities in the country get some of the largest firework displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays.
  • There’s also a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. This is also a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • The bonfires are supposed 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 people to watch the fireworks. There are some people who cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. The Parking Cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is another interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for money for fireworks a few days before the Bonfire Night. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

During Bonfire Night, people parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers.

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.

The majority of the time, there is a firework display and a large bonfire.

Summing up

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

It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some great 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’s no denying that over the years Bonfire Night shifted towards being 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 years and years to come.

Longton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Longton Brook, Swynnerton, Stafford, Staffordshire, England, ST4 8AA, United Kingdom

Organiser: Longton Bonfire Night