South Benfleet Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in South Benfleet poster

Every year in South Benfleet, on November 5, we come together to celebrate Bonfire Night, all over the county of Essex we gather around the bonfire.

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in South Benfleet?

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

Why do people love these festivities so much, and what does it mean?

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

Why do we celebrate Bonfire Night?

It is a way to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes as he tried to assassinate King James I and also to blow up the parliament.

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

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king since he was seen as being anti-Catholic.

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

Some people came up with a plan to blow up the palace.

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

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

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

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

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

We decided to go to the Bonfire Night.

In the UK, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed in many locations.

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

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

The event of the 20th century looked more and more like what we are experiencing today.

What are you going to wear for the events?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

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

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

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

Traditions associated with the night.

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

It is obvious that this is a 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.

The majority of the time, these events end with a firework display and a large bonfire.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

The UK has many amazing attractions and events.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community.

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

Here are some traditions that exist:

  • "Penny for the guy" is an interesting tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money for the 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 preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • 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 clothing.
  • The bonfires are used to cook all kinds of food, even though they are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes wrapped in foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that is eaten on the Bonfire Night. The cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities in the country. There are bonfires and firework displays all over the country.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the Parliament building.

Which foods are most popular during Bonfire Night celebrations?

The events of bonfires and fireworks are not the only thing happening on the night.

There are lots of things associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November, and eaten throughout the country.

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

Conclusion

A staple event over the years, Bonfire Night continues every year.

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

Over the years, it is one of those events that have impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there’s no denying that over the years Bonfire Night 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 event to continue for many years to come.

South Benfleet Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: South Benfleet, Castle Point, Essex, England, SS7 5EJ, United Kingdom

Organiser: South Benfleet Bonfire Night