Shelley Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Shelley poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Shelley?

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

Why do people enjoy these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with a quick overview.

What is the Bonfire Night connected to?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is that Bonfire Night is a way to celebrate.

In 1605 this happened, and people have been celebrating the night 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 Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to the rightful place.

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

The plan was to kill the king because he was in attendance.

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

The other conspirators ended up being taken into custody after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and said 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 of lighting up bonfires.

Which eventually led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities all over 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 due to the focus being on having fun.

As the 20th century went on, the event looked similar to what we are seeing today.

What should you wear to the Bonfire Night events?

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

This is in preparation for the events, and it’s quite an interesting approach.

Most people like to show off their winter clothes on Bonfire Night.

Something to keep in mind is that 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, even if you don't wear a costume.

Which foods are popular during the night?

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

There are a lot of foods associated with this event.

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

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

It is important to note that some families share soups with friends or family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

You will find many amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually 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 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:

  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • There are firework displays all over the country. Even in rural areas, you can find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Nights. Again, this is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is a tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks. In some regions, you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes tried to do when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a wide range of food. Many people heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that is eaten on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.

The Bonfire Night has traditions.

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

The majority 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 over the years.

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

It has impressed many people over the years.

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

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

Shelley Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Shelley, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England, HD8 8LB, United Kingdom

Organiser: Shelley Bonfire Night