Morpeth Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Morpeth poster

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

What should you know about Morpeth's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual celebration.

What is it that people love these celebrations so much?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

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.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated bonfires ever since.

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

Robert and Guy were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

The king was in attendance 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 taken into custody after learning about the plan.

The Parliament shared that the conspirators were caught and punished in a public statement.

The Parliament decided to make the 5th of November a day to be thankful for, and hence the tradition to light up bonfires.

We went to the Bonfire Night after that.

In locations like Northumberland, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

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

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the fact that the focus was on having fun.

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are a lot of amazing attractions and events 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 is now a community-focused event where everyone has a great time and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

You will be able 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:

  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a bird. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper, stuffed with old clothes, and is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • The "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order to ask for money for the fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays for firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • The bonfires are not just meant 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 crowds that come by 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 during Bonfire Night. The cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the Parliament building.

There are traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers on Bonfire Night.

This is a clear nod to the failed attempt by Guy Fawkes and his band to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence, but in a safe manner.

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

What should you wear for the Bonfire Night events?

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

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.

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here, and something to keep in mind.

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

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

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

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.

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

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night is a staple event.

It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some amazing food.

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

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

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come!

Morpeth Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Morpeth, Northumberland, North of Tyne, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Morpeth Bonfire Night