Fings ain’t wot they used to be
When I was a lad, November the 5th was always one of highlights of the year. It was “plot night” or “bonfire night”, and every few streets had a bonfire. Plot night was to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot of a few hundred years ago when, in the reign of James I, Guy Fawkes and others tried to blow up the House of Lords. They were caught, and subsequently executed for treason.
Plot night was terrific. All the kids had fireworks, different parents brought different things - pork pie and mushy peas, plot toffee (which had a special taste), baked potatoes, etc. - and each little neighbourhood gathered around their bonfire, which the kids had previously collected the wood for - sometimes by pinching some from other fires in the making - and a fun time was had by all. You only needed to step out of the house to see the glows of bonfires all over the place. But not any more.
There were always a few serious accident each year, and neighbourhood bonfires were discouraged in favour of bigger, more organised ones. Tonight I drove to the bowling alley and, even though I had a view over a large part of the city, I only saw two bonfires - both in pub car parks. The whole idea of bonfire night has virtually disappeared now. Many people set off fireworks in their own gardens, but it’s not the same as having a neighbourhood bonfire with all the trimmings. Something has gone from our culture, and it’s the youngsters who miss out.
Nicky said,
November 6, 2006 @ 10:27 am
You get too many moaning neighbours now even with the “Organised” bonfire nights.
Our local fire station has always held bonfire night in a field away from the houses, but last year and the year before, houses near the field put complaints in.
What miserable gits! Its once a year and the kids love it, yet people moan and groan about it and ruin it for everyone. Thats probalby why there aren’t that many around nowadays.
Darren said,
November 7, 2006 @ 4:54 am
I think liability insurance is a major issue for many such events and discourages people running them.
PhilC said,
November 7, 2006 @ 2:48 pm
On the other hand, the “penny for the guy” tradition has been successfully replaced with halloween night’s trick or treat (copied from the U.S.), hasn’t it?
For anyone who isn’t aware what “penny for the guy” was, Guy Fawkes was a member of the group who tried to blow up the House of Lords. Bonfires traditionally had an effigy of him on the top, which the kids made weeks before. Up to bonfire night, they used to put the “guy” on the street, often in a cart, and collect money for their pockets - hence “penny for the guy”.