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Author Topic: Bonfire night  (Read 1987 times)

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Offline Pastis

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Bonfire night
« on: November 01, 2007, 06:16:47 PM »
I won't be in the vicinity fortunately, although they've started already  ::), but I had a conversation last night with a friend who was convinced that we celebrated the burning of Guy Fawkes and hence, pro-government. I've always been of the view that we were celebrating the plot to blow up the effing government  ;D

Mind you, said friend is French and thereby lives with the history of having thrown out his ruling elite some years later so his rationale may be excusable..  8)

What think we?
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Offline Darwins Selection

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2007, 06:18:41 PM »
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Offline Pastis

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2007, 06:24:35 PM »
Well, that's succinct!  eeek:
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Like the Buddhist said to the hot dog vendor...
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Sour Puss

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2007, 07:39:08 PM »
Quote from: Pastis on November 01, 2007, 06:16:47 PM


What think we?

I was going to answer this myself, but after a quick google, this about sums it up.  whistle:

For 400 years, bonfires have burned
on November 5th to mark the failed Gunpowder Plot.

The tradition of Guy Fawkes-related bonfires actually began the very same year as the failed coup. The Plot was foiled in the night between the 4th and 5th of November 1605. Already on the 5th, agitated Londoners who knew little more than that their King had been saved, joyfully lit bonfires in thanksgiving. As years progressed, however, the ritual became more elaborate.

Soon, people began placing effigies onto bonfires, and fireworks were added to the celebrations. Effigies of Guy Fawkes, and sometimes those of the Pope, graced the pyres. Still today, some communities throw dummies of both Guy Fawkes and the Pope on the bonfire (and even those of a contemporary politician or two), although the gesture is seen by most as a quirky tradition, rather than an expression of hostility towards the Pope.

Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes, which is called "the Guy". Some children even keep up an old tradition of walking in the streets, carrying "the Guy" they have just made, and beg passersby for "a penny for the Guy." The kids use the money to buy fireworks for the evening festivities.

On the night itself, Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks displays fill the sky.

The extent of the celebrations and the size of the bonfire varies from one community to the next. Lewes, in the South East of England, is famous for its Bonfire Night festivities and consistently attracts thousands of people each year to participate.

Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies during the centuries. It was actively celebrated in New England as "Pope Day" as late as the 18th century. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada.


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Offline Pastis

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2007, 07:57:18 PM »
Quote from: Pussy Galore on November 01, 2007, 07:39:08 PM
Quote from: Pastis on November 01, 2007, 06:16:47 PM
What think we?

So, since 1605... bastards... and they were celebrating the safety of the Monarchy?... bastards!... I KNOW they're thieves, pillagers, scoundrels, ne'er do wells, idiots of the first water... I'll celebrate in my own style I think.  evil:
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Like the Buddhist said to the hot dog vendor...
"Make me one with everything"

grumpyoldsoldier

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2007, 08:46:18 PM »
Quote from: Pastis on November 01, 2007, 07:57:18 PM
Quote from: Pussy Galore on November 01, 2007, 07:39:08 PM
Quote from: Pastis on November 01, 2007, 06:16:47 PM
What think we?

So, since 1605... bastards... and they were celebrating the safety of the Monarchy?... bastards!... I KNOW they're thieves, pillagers, scoundrels, ne'er do wells, idiots of the first water... I'll celebrate in my own style I think.  evil:

Maybe we could burn sumfink? whistle:
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Berek

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2007, 08:49:17 PM »
I was so chuffed to see a couple of lads with a "Guy" the other day I gave them some money. Nice to see kids carrying on some of my childhood traditions, all we need is for them to start playing Knocky Nine Doors and the country is saved !!
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Shy Talk

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2007, 11:47:40 PM »
Quote from: Berek on November 01, 2007, 08:49:17 PM
I was so chuffed to see a couple of lads with a "Guy" the other day I gave them some money. Nice to see kids carrying on some of my childhood traditions, all we need is for them to start playing Knocky Nine Doors and the country is saved !!

iNice to see kids carrying on some of my childhood traditions ------Do they still play  "I'll show you mine if you show me yours ! lol: How I use to love that quaint ol' kids game  eyes:
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Offline Barman

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2007, 04:41:44 AM »
Quote from: Berek on November 01, 2007, 08:49:17 PM
I was so chuffed to see a couple of lads with a "Guy" the other day I gave them some money. Nice to see kids carrying on some of my childhood traditions, all we need is for them to start playing Knocky Nine Doors and the country is saved !!
Knocky Nine Doors = ASBO  noooo:
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Pro Skub  Thumbs:

Offline Bar Wench

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2007, 08:39:25 AM »
It's an excuse for a bonfire. Do we really need to look any deeper than that?  eeek:
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grumpyoldsoldier

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2007, 09:15:38 AM »
Quote from: Shy Talk on November 01, 2007, 11:47:40 PM
Quote from: Berek on November 01, 2007, 08:49:17 PM
I was so chuffed to see a couple of lads with a "Guy" the other day I gave them some money. Nice to see kids carrying on some of my childhood traditions, all we need is for them to start playing Knocky Nine Doors and the country is saved !!

iNice to see kids carrying on some of my childhood traditions ------Do they still play  "I'll show you mine if you show me yours ! lol: How I use to love that quaint ol' kids game  eyes:
You could get arrested for that at your age....
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grumpyoldsoldier

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2007, 09:16:39 AM »
Quote from: Bar Wench on November 02, 2007, 08:39:25 AM
It's an excuse for a bonfire. Do we really need to look any deeper than that?  eeek:
It's a man thing.. we just love to prod...
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Offline Bar Wench

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2007, 09:42:42 AM »
In my family fires are a woman thing. We have personal poking staffs
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Offline Marley's Ghost (Imbiber of Spirits)

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2007, 09:48:23 AM »
Quote from: Bar Wench on November 02, 2007, 09:42:42 AM
In my family fires are a woman thing. We have personal poking staffs


 eeek:

Bloody hell!

 eeek: eeek: eeek:
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"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end." 

Well, someone had to say it!

grumpyoldsoldier

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Re: Bonfire night
« Reply #14 on: November 02, 2007, 09:49:15 AM »
Quote from: Bar Wench on November 02, 2007, 09:42:42 AM
In my family fires are a woman thing. We have personal poking staffs
I think I love you.. do you take paying guests?
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