Sompting Bonfire Night 2022

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

What should you know about Sompting's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual celebration.

Why do people love these celebrations?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity with this quick rundown.

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

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

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

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact that 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 it's rightful place.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up a building.

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

A member of the conspiracy sent a letter to the parliament, but ended up getting cold feet.

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

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

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

Which eventually took us to the Bonfire Night.

There are Bonfire Night activities in the UK nowadays.

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

The celebration was renamed at the beginning of the 20th century by firework manufacturers due to the focus on having fun.

As the 20th century progressed, the event looked more and more similar to what we are experiencing today.

Traditions associated with the evening of bonfires.

People wear 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 attempted to blow up the Parliament, a celebration of independence, but in a safe way.

The majority of the time, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display.

Bonfire Night attractions

You are going to find a lot of amazing things to do 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 people.

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

Common traditions are here:

• The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a wide range of food. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. It is possible to cook potatoes wrapped in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake eaten on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
• The biggest cities in the country get some of the biggest firework displays. There are bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country.
• An effigy, a homemade model of a man, is very common in the UK. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed with old clothes.
• There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. The plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building are a nod to this.
• One interesting tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money to buy fireworks. In some parts of the world you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.

What are you going to wear for the events?

Depending on where you live, people tend to dress up in a variety of costumes.

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

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with a classical touch is a good 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 wear a costume.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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

There are many foods associated with the event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that they prepare around the 5th of November as well, and these are eaten throughout the country.

It’s also important to note that some families eat soups too, and they share it with friends or other family members.

Conclusion

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

It is a great time for people to celebrate and enjoy some amazing foods.

Over the years, it's one of those events that has impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that the event has evolved into a more community-friendly event.

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

Sompting Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Sompting, Adur, West Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Sompting Bonfire Night