November 04, 2004

Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Parliament (pdf) 399 years ago. Once again the UK will be covered in fireworks and burning effigies tomorrow, especially places like this, where six societies compete.
posted by Plegmund 20 years ago
  • secretly wonders if Plegmund is trying to subtly send a hint to the other side of the pond :)
  • I remember flying from Dublin to Gatwick on Guy Fawkes night in 1999. As we descended over the suburbs south of London I had the amazing experience looking down on fireworks popping up from everywhere, and seeing the bright spots of bonfires spread out below. I had no idea what was going on. Magical and unforgettable.
  • Of course, we have to hold it on a night which is usually rainny and foggy.
  • It doesn't always rain. We had sleet one year. And last year, there was even a little snow (I was back in the UK, visiting).
  • I've long wanted to see this in person. Provided, of course, that it somehow involves several pints of beer, ale, and/or whiskey.
  • Bonfire night is great. I love it. Get the cats in and get down the park for the municipal displays. I like the medieval feel of walking through a misty park in the dark, hundreds of people converging on one spot to watch the display, rain and mud be damned!
  • Great links. I had never heard of it. I was just over there a few months ago as my brother lives in Wimbledon. Just one more thing for me to look into on my next visit.
  • Lewes (Plegmund's fourth link) is particularly harcore: "Besides burning the Pope and Guy Fawkes, Cliffe hangs a NO POPERY banner over the high street and marches through town with burning crosses." They also burned GW in effigy last year - I wonder how many burning Bushes there will be across the nation this year...
  • Lewes is great - I went there twice, always had a good time. People put a lot of effort in it.
  • That should, of course, read "hardcore". Oh, the shame!
  • This is a very good day to finish my reading, which just happens to include the events of November 5, 1605.
  • Oops! It was November 4 - the celebration was on November 5.
  • One of the best things about being a British colony, I have to say. Except, of course, that fireworks are on the way to bannination, and replacement by ye olde American holiday, Halloween. It's sad. But I'm going to spend a bomb (ha ha!) on fireworks today so we can set the neighbourhood on fire tonight. When I was 16 or so, my friends and I were setting off rockets in someone's back yard and set the neighbours toi-toi (pampas grass) on fire. It was my job to run next door and tell the owner, and my permanent damage when I found him sleeping naked on the sofa with the door wide open.
  • I think Canada should have costumes, candy AND fireworks! (We just have the costumes and candy, that's part of our North American side - I do love the way the rituals imitate old style "world turned upside down" festivals, especially since it's really too cold for us to do Carnival properly.)