Thornhill Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Thornhill poster

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

What should you know about Thornhill's bonfire night?

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

Why do people love this event so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind the amazing popularity of the Bonfire Night in a few minutes.

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 the attempt to blow up the parliament.

In 1605 this happened, 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 and Guy Fawkes were Catholics who believed in an armed struggle to bring Catholicism back to the rightful place.

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

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

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament, but was cold feet.

After they learned about the plan, the other conspirators were taken into custody.

The Parliament 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 to light bonfires.

Which eventually lead us to the Bonfire Night.

Throughout the UK, there are Bonfire Night activities.

Over the years, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

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 similar to what we are experiencing today.

Which foods are popular at Bonfire Nights?

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

There are many foods 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 to be prepared around the 5th of November as well.

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

What should you wear at the event?

People tend to dress up in different costumes depending on where they live on Bonfire Night.

This is in preparation for the events, and it is quite interesting.

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, and certainly something to keep in mind.

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

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

There are many amazing attractions in the UK.

Food and drinks are shared with the community at smaller events that take place in countryside regions.

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 can also 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:

  • There is a tradition called "Penny for the Guy" Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street to ask for money for fireworks a few days before Bonfire Night. In some parts of the world, 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.
  • It is very common for people in the UK to burn an effigy, a homemade model of a man, very similar to a bird. The effigy is usually made out of straw or paper and stuffed with old clothes.
  • Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. But in general you are bound to find bonfires and incredible firework displays all over the country, even in rural areas.
  • The bonfires are not meant to be a symbol of the failed complot, but they are used to cook all kinds of food. A lot of people make soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. There are some people who cook potatoes wrapped in a foil and also marshmallows or sausages. There is a traditional cake called the parking cake that people eat on Bonfire Night. It has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle.
  • 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 some traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

People use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers when they parade in costumes 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 way.

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

Summing up

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

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

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 is no denying that over the years it has shifted towards being a more community-friendly event.

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

Thornhill Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Thornhill, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England, WF12 0JP, United Kingdom

Organiser: Thornhill Bonfire Night