Old Malden Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Old Malden poster

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

What should you know about Old Malden's bonfire night?

The annual event that has been adopted as an annual event is the Bonfire Night.

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 by following this quick rundown.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because Bonfire Night is a way to celebrate.

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated Bonfire Night ever since.

At that time there was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

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

The two people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The king was in attendance there, so the plan was also to assassinate him during the process.

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

The conspirators were taken into custody once they learned about the plan.

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

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

We eventually headed to the Bonfire Night.

In locations like Greater London, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

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 by firework manufacturers because it was focused on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more like what we are seeing today.

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-focused event where everyone has a great time, and they enjoy the presence of other like-minded 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:

  • A homemade model of a man is often burned in the UK. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country host firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • 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, in order to blow up the parliament building.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a lot of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake people eat on the Bonfire Night. This cake has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it’s very tasty.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for the fireworks, a few days before the Bonfire Night. 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.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

It is an interesting approach to prepare for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a great place for people to show off their winter clothing.

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even though you don't have to dress up.

Which foods are popular during Bonfire Night?

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

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 associated with the Bonfire Night.

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

Some families share their soups with friends or other family members.

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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 Bonfire Night events end with a firework display and a large bonfire.

Bottom line

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

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

It has impressed many people over the years.

Even if the origins of the event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event over the years.

The most important parts of the event are happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come.

Old Malden Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Old Malden, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, London, Greater London, England, KT4 7RR, United Kingdom

Organiser: Old Malden Bonfire Night