Westhoughton Bonfire Night 2022

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

What should you know about Westhoughton's bonfire night?

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

But what does it signify and why do people love these festivities so much?

You can get up to speed with the reasons behind its popularity by reading this quick rundown.

What is the tradition of the 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 ever since.

There was a lot of anger against the king due to the fact that he was against Catholics.

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

The two supporters came up with a plan to blow up the Palace.

The king was in attendance, so the plan was to kill him.

A conspiracy member sent a letter to the parliament after he got cold feet.

The other conspirators were taken into custody after learning about the plan.

The Parliament made a statement about the situation and shared that the conspirators had been 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.

We went to the Bonfire Night due to this.

Nowadays Bonfire Night activities can be found throughout the UK.

Over the years it has become a community focused event despite the fact that its origins are sinister.

The firework manufacturers rebranded the celebration at the beginning of the 20th century because it was focused on having fun.

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

Which foods are popular during the night?

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

There are many foods associated with this event.

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

Some regions have their own special meals that are prepared around the 5th of November as well.

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

What should you wear to the event?

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

This is in preparation for the events.

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

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

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

There are attractions at Bonfire Night

There are a lot of amazing attractions and events in the UK.

In the countryside, there are usually large bonfires and local events, food and drinks shared with the community.

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 pyrotechnics for a night to remember.

Here are some common traditions:

• Another tradition is called "Penny for the Guy". Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in order 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.
• An effigy, a homemade model of a man, is very common in the UK. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw, stuffed with old clothes, and meant to represent Guy Fawkes.
• The tradition is to carry flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is in reference to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his team had to blow up the Parliament building.
• Some of the largest firework displays are in the biggest cities. Even in rural areas you are bound to find bonfires and firework displays.
• The bonfires are not meant to be just a symbol of the failed complot, but they are also used to cook all kinds of food. People heat up soup for the crowds that come by to see the fireworks. Some people cook potatoes in a foil, as well as marshmallows or sausages. The parking cake is a traditional cake people eat on Bonfire Night. A cake with syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle is very tasty.

There are some traditions associated with the Bonfire Night.

People wear costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks, and sparklers on 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 events end with a large bonfire and a firework display.

Summing up

Every year, Bonfire Night continues and has become a staple event over the years.

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

Over the years it has impressed many people.

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

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.

Westhoughton Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Westhoughton, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom

Organiser: Westhoughton Bonfire Night