Royston Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Royston poster

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

What should you know about Royston's bonfire night?

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

Why do people love these events so much?

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

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, while also trying to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, and people have celebrated the Bonfire Night ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king, due to the fact that he was against Catholics.

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

Two supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance, so the plan was to assassinate him.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament.

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

The Parliament made a public statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been caught and punished.

The Parliament decided to light up bonfires on the 5th of November as a way to be thankful.

We went to the Bonfire Night because of that.

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

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

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.

The event of the 20th century was more and more similar to what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are only part of the celebration.

There are lots of foods associated with the event.

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

These are eaten throughout the country, and some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November.

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

The traditions associated with the night of bonfires.

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers at 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 manner.

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

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

There are lots of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires, food and drinks shared with the community, and smaller events.

It's become a community-focused event for a lot of people because they enjoy the presence of other like-minded people.

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

There are some common traditions:

  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest firework displays. You are bound to find firework displays and bonfires all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people heat up soup for the people watching 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 on the Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to make and burn an effigy of a man. This effigy is made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes, it is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before Bonfire Night. In some regions you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The tradition is to carry 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.

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

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

This approach is in preparation for the events.

The Bonfire Night is a good time for people to show off their winter clothes.

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

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

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some amazing 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 it has evolved into a more community-friendly event over the years.

The most important part of Bonfire Night is happiness and a good time, and we can expect this event to continue for many years to come.

Royston Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Royston, North Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Royston Bonfire Night