Comment on Bonfire Night
I remember the anticipation leading up to the 5th Nov. Mum would always find one of Dads older suits and construct a very life-like efigy of Guy. With each week's pocket money I would carefully select my fireworks from the Wilders and Standard range and they'd all be carefully stored away in a shoebox under the bed. I'd bring them out to admire them as the collection grew... and finally the big night would arrive. Warm as toast on the front as the fire crackled in the cold November air. Bang, woosh...ooos..aahhs as the fireworks exploded into life. The next day exploring the area for the burnout rocket shells. Then there would be Christmas to look forward to...
Comment on Bonfire Night posted 2007-10-08 by David Mark Pendry from Phillip Island ..Australia
Comment on Bonfire Night
Two boys sitting outside the local newsagents with a little toddler in a buggy asked for a penny for the guy. I said where is the guy? They pointed to their little frozen brother stuffed in the buggy and said he is the guy. I looked at the little boy all cold and snotty-nosed and gave them 50p for their cheek. Kids are so lazy these days - at least we made a real guy!
Comment on Bonfire Night posted 2007-10-08 by lisa g knowles from s.e.london
Comment on Bonfire Night
Why do you give a 'Penny for the Guy'? Is it just for luck, or for buying fireworks etc?
Comment on Bonfire Night posted 2007-09-27 by Denise Chisholm from Glasgow - Scotland
Comment on Bonfire Night
We all know about Guy Fawkes; even the calendar date itself is iconic - how many other famous pre-20th-century events do people remember the exact date of? Any at all? And this four hundred year old event has a big echo in life in England today - when November 5th comes around everyone here knows about bonfires, fireworks, penny for the guy, etc. Unique.
Comment on Bonfire Night posted 2007-03-30 by Mike Buchanan from London
Comment on Bonfire Night
The bonfire has special relervance to the English . November the 5th is dedicated to it and there are old socierties and traditions devoted to it in many different forms across this country. .
Comment on Bonfire Night posted 2007-01-09 by James from london
Comment on Bonfire Night
I think there is some pre- 17th century significance being missed here. Bonfire night caught on so rapidly because the date is very close to October 31st, Halloween, or to our celtic forebears the festival of Samhain, when fires were lit accross the country, a tradition that was still flourishing in the 17th century despite its pagan origins. I also have wonderful memories of Bonfire Night from my childhood, baked potatoes and sausages being a feature as well as the fireworks, Guy and fire. My dad would never let me out 'penny for the guy'-ing though - he said it was begging, pure and simple!
Comment on Bonfire Night posted 2008-02-12 by Andy Sawyer from London