Port Talbot Bonfire Night 2022

Every year in Port Talbot, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, with fireworks lighting up the skies across the county of Neath Port Talbot.

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Port Talbot?

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

What is it that makes people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few moments.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that he was celebrating the failure of the parliament.

Since 1605 people have been celebrating Bonfire Night.

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

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

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

The king was in attendance and the plan was to kill him.

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

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

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

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

We eventually ended up at the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over the UK.

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

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

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

What should you wear?

It's interesting that people tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live.

This is in preparation for the events.

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

A winter knit with a classical touch is usually the right way to go here.

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.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals prepared around the 5th of November as well.

Some families eat soup and share it with friends or other family members.

There are attractions during 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 being shared with the community, although smaller events also take place.

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

There are some common traditions:

• During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels on the shoulders are a tradition. Again, 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 make an effigy of a man and burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper.
• There is a tradition called "Penny for the guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to Bonfire Night to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was planning to blow up the Parliament.
• The bonfires are not just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people cook soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages as well. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat during the Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle is very delicious.
• The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you will find bonfires and incredible firework displays.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers on 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, but in a safe way.

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

At the end

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a staple event and it continues every year.

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and eat amazing foods.

It’s certainly one of those events that have impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has become 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 many years to come.

Port Talbot Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot, Cymru / Wales, SA13 1LY, United Kingdom

Organiser: Port Talbot Bonfire Night