Southcourt Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Southcourt poster

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

What should you know about Southcourt's bonfire night?

Over the years, the Bonfire Night has become an annual event because of it's incredible festivities.

What does it mean and why do people love these celebrations so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night by reading this quick article.

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, and also to blow up the parliament.

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

There was a lot of anger against the king since 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.

Two people came up with a plan to blow up the Palace of Commons.

The plan was to assassinate the king while he was there.

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

Once they learned about the plan, Fawkes and Catesby as well as the other conspirators ended up being taken into custody here.

The Parliament made a statement regarding the situation and shared 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 led us to the Bonfire Night.

In locations like Buckinghamshire, Bonfire Night activities are enjoyed.

Despite the fact that its origins are sinister, the event has become a community-focused event over the years.

The celebration was renamed to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century due to the focus being on having fun.

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

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

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.

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

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 it is being prepared for the events.

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 normally the right way to go here.

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, because you don't have to dress up in a costume.

Bonfire Night attractions

You are bound to find some amazing attractions and events throughout 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 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.

There are some common traditions:

  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. Crowds come by to see the fireworks and a lot of people heat up soup for them. Some people cook potatoes in a foil with marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very tasty.
  • There is a tradition called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street, trying to get some money for fireworks, a few days before the Bonfire Night. 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.
  • There are firework displays throughout the country, with the biggest cities getting some of the largest displays. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and amazing firework displays all over the country.
  • It’s very common for many 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 straws or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • There’s also a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during the Bonfire Night processions. Again, this is a nod to the plan that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

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

These are eaten all over the country, and some regions have their own special meals prepared for the 5th of November.

Some families share their soups with friends and family members.

In the end

Every year, Bonfire Night is a staple event.

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

The event has impressed people over the years.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that it has become 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.

Southcourt Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Southcourt, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England, HP21 8NG, United Kingdom

Organiser: Southcourt Bonfire Night