Pontarddulais Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Pontarddulais poster

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

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

Every year, the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event.

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

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity here.

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.

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

There was a lot of anger against the king, since he was seen as being against the Catholics.

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

The two and other supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance and 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 here once they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a statement regarding the situation and shared that the conspirators were caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November in honor of being thankful for it.

Which eventually took us to the Bonfire Night.

Throughout the UK, there are Bonfire Night activities.

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister in nature, over the years Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event.

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers because it was focused on having fun.

The event looked similar as the 20th century went on.

Bonfire Night attractions

You are going to find a lot of great attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, but there are also smaller events.

It 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 see some great firework displays, with some regions going out of their way to use incredible fireworks for a night to remember.

There are some common traditions:

  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even if they are just a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the people coming 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 that people eat on the night of bonfire. This cake is made of syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is very interesting. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for 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 biggest cities in the country get some of the largest firework displays. There are bonfires and firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the processions. This is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. This effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

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

This is obviously 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.

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

What should you wear at the event?

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

This approach is quite interesting, and is being prepared for the events.

Most people like to show off their winter wardrobe during the Bonfire Night.

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

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

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

The celebration with bonfires and fireworks is not the only thing happening.

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 throughout the country, and some regions even have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November as well.

It is important to note that some families eat soup and share it with other family members.

Summing up

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

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

It is one of those events that have impressed people over the years.

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

We can expect this event to continue for years and years to come because happiness and a good time are the most important parts.

Pontarddulais Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Pontarddulais, Swansea, Cymru / Wales, SA4 8RL, United Kingdom

Organiser: Pontarddulais Bonfire Night