Watton Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Watton poster

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

What should you know about Watton's bonfire night?

The Bonfire Night is one of those incredible festivities and celebrations that have been adopted as an annual event over the years.

Why do people love this event so much?

Here’s a quick roundup to help you get up to speed with the Bonfire Night, its starting point and the reasons behind its amazing popularity.

What is the Bonfire Night associated with?

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

This happened in 1605 and people have celebrated Bonfire 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 return Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

The plan was to assassinate the king during the process.

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

The conspirators were taken into custody when they learned of the plan.

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

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

Which led us to the Bonfire Night.

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

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 to "Bonfire Night or the Fireworks Night" because it was focused on having fun.

The event of the 20th century looked very similar to what we are experiencing today.

Traditions associated with the Bonfire 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 way.

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

Which foods are common during Bonfire Night celebrations?

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

There are plenty of foods associated with this event as well.

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

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

Some families eat soup and share it with friends or family.

What should you wear on Bonfire Night?

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

It is an interesting approach in preparation for the events.

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

Something to keep in mind is that a winter knit with aclassical touch is usually the right 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 dress up.

There are attractions for Bonfire Night.

The UK has many amazing attractions and events.

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

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 like-minded people.

You will get 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 also used to cook all kinds of food, which is why they are not just a symbol of the failed complot. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to watch the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake that people eat on the eve of Bonfire Night. This cake is made with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it is very delicious.
  • The tradition of "Penny for the Guy" is an interesting one. Kids used to take the homemade Guy effigies on the street and try to get some money for the fireworks. Kids blackened their faces in some regions, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was about to blow up the Parliament.
  • There is a tradition to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had, to blow up the Parliament building.
  • It is common for people in the UK to make a model of a man and burn it. The effigy is stuffed with old clothes and made out of straw or paper, which is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes.
  • Some of the biggest cities in the country have large firework displays. You are bound to find bonfires and firework displays all over the country.

Summing up

Every year, Bonfire Night is a staple event.

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

The event has impressed many people over the years.

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

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.

Watton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Watton, Breckland, Norfolk, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Watton Bonfire Night