Shaw Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Shaw poster

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

What should you know about Shaw's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night has been an annual event over the years.

Why do people love the festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night with a quick recap.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes tried to assassinate King James I is that it is a way to celebrate the failure of that attempt.

Since 1605 people have been celebrating Bonfire Night.

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

There was a vision that only an armed struggle would return Catholicism to its rightful place.

A group of people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

The plan was for the king to be assassinated during the process.

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

The conspirators were taken into custody when 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 bonfires on the 5th of November to be thankful for.

We eventually ended up at the Bonfire Night.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed all over the UK.

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

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century because of its focus on having fun.

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

What should you wear?

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.

The Bonfire Night is a great time for most people to show off their winter wear.

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

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather.

Bonfire Night attractions

There are many 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 event where everyone has a great time, and 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 as well.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook food. A lot of people make soup for the people watching the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in a foil as well as marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very tasty.
  • The biggest cities in the country get some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with clothes.
  • It is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in an attempt to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Another tradition is called "Penny for the guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for fireworks a few days before 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.

Which are the most popular foods during Bonfire Night?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only celebrations of 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 throughout the country, and some regions even have their own special meals they prepare around the 5th of November as well.

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

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

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

This is a clear nod to the failure of the band that 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 a large bonfire.

At the end

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

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

Over the years it has impressed many people.

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

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

Shaw Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Shaw, Oldham, Greater Manchester, England, OL2 7WS, United Kingdom

Organiser: Shaw Bonfire Night