Swanwick Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Swanwick poster

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

What should you know about the Bonfire Night in Swanwick?

The annual event that has been adopted as an annual event is the Bonfire Night.

Why do people love these things so much?

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

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 has been celebrated ever since.

At that time, there was a lot of anger against the king because he was seen as being against the Catholics.

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

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

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

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

After learning about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody here.

The fact that the conspirators were caught and punished was shared by the Parliament in a public statement.

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

Which led us to the Bonfire Night.

There are a lot of Bonfire Night activities in the UK.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community focused event despite its sinister beginnings.

The firework manufacturers decided to change the celebration's name to Fireworks Night at the beginning of the 20th century because of the focus on having fun.

The 20th century event looked a lot like what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular during the night?

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

There are lots of foods associated with this event.

The jacket potato, parkin, black peas, treacle toffee, and the toffee apples are just 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 prepared around the 5th of November as well.

Some families share soups with friends or other family members.

There are attractions at Bonfire Night.

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

Smaller events also take place in countryside regions too, although here you mostly have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community event where everyone has a good 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 fireworks for a night to remember.

Here are some traditions that are common:

  • Some of the largest firework displays can be found in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook a lot of food. A lot of people cook soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, but also marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the night of the bonfire. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal, and treacle is very delicious.
  • There is an interesting 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 Bonfire Night. In some areas you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, similar to a scarecrow. This effigy is meant to represent Guy Fawkes, and it’s usually made out of straw or paper, all of it stuffed within old clothes.
  • During the Bonfire Night processions, flaming tar barrels are carried on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, in order to blow up the Parliament building.

There are traditions associated with the Bonfire Night

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

It is clear that this is a nod to the failure of the band that tried to blow up the Parliament as a celebration of independence.

Most of the time, these Bonfire Night events end with a firework display and a large bonfire.

What are you going to wear for the event?

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

In preparation for the events, this is quite an interesting approach.

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

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

A proper outfit that protects you against the cold weather is more than welcome, even though you don't have to dress up.

Summing up

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

It is a great time for people to connect, celebrate and enjoy some great food.

Over the years it has impressed people.

Even if the origins of this event are a bit darker, there is no denying that over the years 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.

Swanwick Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Swanwick CP, Amber Valley, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Swanwick Bonfire Night