Old Catton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Old Catton poster

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

What information is important to know about Old Catton's Bonfire Night?

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

Why do people like these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this short article.

Why do we celebrate 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 that attempt.

In 1605 this happened, and people have been celebrating 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 Fawkes were Catholics who believed that an armed struggle would bring Catholicism back to its rightful place.

The supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Commons.

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

A conspiracy member was cold feet and sent a letter to the parliament.

After they learned about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody.

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

The Parliament decided that the 5th of November was a day to be thankful for and therefore the tradition to light up bonfires.

It eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the UK

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

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

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more similar to what we are experiencing today.

Traditions are associated with the night of bonfires.

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

It is obvious 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, there is a firework display and a large bonfire.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

The bonfire Night events are more than just a celebration with fireworks.

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

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

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared for the 5th of November.

Some families eat soups and share them with friends or family members.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are some great attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events with 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 pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • There are firework displays throughout the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you will find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make a homemade model of a man and burn it. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothing.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of failed complot, they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows and sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake eaten on the Bonfire Night. The cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • Another interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in a bid to get some money for fireworks. 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.

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

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

This is in preparation for the events, and it is interesting.

The Bonfire Night is a great opportunity for most 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.

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even if you don't have to wear a costume.

Bottom line

Every year, Bonfire Night becomes a staple event.

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

One of the things that have impressed people over the years is the event.

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.

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.

Old Catton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Old Catton, Broadland, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Old Catton Bonfire Night