Whickham Bonfire Night 2022

Bonfire Night in Whickham poster

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

What should you know about Whickham's bonfire night?

The annual celebration of the Bonfire Night has been adopted as an annual event over the years.

What is it that people love these celebrations so much?

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

What is the tradition of the Bonfire Night?

The main reason why Guy Fawkes failed in his attempt to assassinate King James I is because of the celebration of Bonfire Night.

This happened in 1605 and people have been celebrating it ever since.

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

There was a vision that only an armed struggle would restore Catholicism to its rightful place.

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

The king was present, so the plan was to kill him.

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

The conspirators were taken into custody after they learned about the plan.

The Parliament made a statement 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.

We headed to the Bonfire Night.

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

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

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 more and more similar to what we are experiencing today.

There are attractions during Bonfire Night.

There are many amazing attractions in the UK.

In the countryside, you usually have large bonfires and local events, food and drinks being shared with the community, as well as smaller events.

For a lot of people, Bonfire Night has become a community-focused event where everyone has a good 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 traditions that are common:

  • There is a tradition of carrying flaming tar barrels on the shoulders during Bonfire Night processions. This is a nod to the plans that Guy Fawkes and his group had to blow up the Parliament building.
  • Many people in the UK burn an effigy, a model of a man, very similar to a scarecrow. The effigy is usually made out of paper or straw and stuffed into old clothes.
  • "Penny for the Guy" is a tradition. Kids used to take homemade Guy effigies on the street in the days leading up to the Bonfire Night to ask for money for the fireworks. In some parts of the country you can find kids that blackened their faces, a testament to what Guy Fawkes did when he was preparing to blow up the Parliament.
  • The bonfires are more than just a symbol of the failed complot, they are also used to cook food. In fact, a lot of people heat up soup for the crowds coming by to see the fireworks. 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 has syrup, ginger, oatmeal and treacle, and it’s very tasty.
  • The biggest cities get some of the largest firework displays in the country. Even in rural areas, you are bound to find incredible firework displays.

What should you wear to the event?

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

It is quite interesting that this is being prepared for the events.

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

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

You don't have to wear a costume if you have a proper outfit that protects you from the cold weather.

Which foods are popular during the night?

As we mentioned earlier, the Bonfire Night events are not only a celebration with bonfires and fireworks.

There are many foods associated with the event.

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

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

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

Traditions related to the Bonfire Night.

People parade in costumes and use flaming torches, fireworks and sparklers 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 manner.

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

At the end

Every year, Bonfire Night has become a staple event.

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

It is one of the events that have impressed people in the past.

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

Happiness and a good time are the most important parts of Bonfire Night, and we can expect this event to continue for years and years to come!

Whickham Bonfire Night Event

Date: 5th November 2022

Start Time: 6pm

Finish Time: 11pm

Address: Whickham, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, North East, England, NE16 4LZ, United Kingdom

Organiser: Whickham Bonfire Night