Pitsea Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Pitsea poster

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

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

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

What does it mean and why do people love these celebrations so much?

Here are a few things you can do to get up to speed with the Bonfire Night.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

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

In 1605 this happened, and people have been celebrating Bonfire Nights ever since.

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

Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes were both Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to it's rightful place.

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

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

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament after getting cold feet.

The conspirators were taken into custody after they learned of the plan.

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

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

Which eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its sinister beginnings.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because it was focused on having fun.

In the 20th century, the event looked similar to what we are seeing today.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The Bonfire Night events are more than a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many different foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare 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 or family members.

Bonfire Night attractions

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 being shared among the community.

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 like minded people.

You will also 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:

  • A homemade model of a man is often burned in the UK. This effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes.
  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an effort to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. There are bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • There is an interesting tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before the Bonfire Night. Kids blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people heat up soup for the people who come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil, as well as marshmallows and sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

This approach is in preparation for the events.

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

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

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

There are traditions associated with Bonfire Night.

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

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.

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

Conclusion

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

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

It is one of the events that has impressed 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.

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.

Pitsea Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Pitsea, Brackendale Avenue, Pitsea Mount, Vange, Basildon, Essex, England, SS13 3BD, United Kingdom

Organiser: Pitsea Bonfire Night