Back in the day fireworks were wonderful (you saved your pocket money and curated your collection with care over weeks. ) But the bonfire was the big deal. And the freedom we were given to do daft and dangerous and essential things was glorious and unimaginable today. https://www.josieholford.com/dark-times/
Great article! Whatever your historical perspective 'the 5th' was our own Thanksgiving, not only for the failure of a terrorist plot but also for the birth of constitutional monarchy when William 3rd landed at Brixham . All our National distinctive traditions are being extinguished piecemeal, we need the spirit of the Lewes bonfire boys to resist.
There are some other independent spirited bonfire societies - I’ve been to one in Hastings. People should get together and organise their own, but there’s always someone, that droning voice, the Health & Safety busybody. They use dark implications of getting sued or things about insurance to reduce the world down to their dreary, risk-averse approach.
Excellent article. Glad to see someone sticking up for British traditions and for childhood independence. Crystal Palace had an organised display every year but most of the time we organised our own bonfire night, in the back garden, with a BIG bonfire (neighbours called the fire brigade on one occasion) and a few fireworks, sparklers and baked potatoes. I went to Lewes once. Crazy. They were letting fireworks off all over the place. I'm all for living dangerously, but not THAT dangerously!
Guy Fawkes night is one of my favourite English traditions. I have certainly made sure to educate my youngsters in the history and significance of the day.
You're always welcome at our bonfire party Niall. Always on the 5th. No moving it to the nearest Saturday. On the eco front, I just store all the hedge and garden trimmings from the year and burn them in one fabulous conflagration in a fire pit in the garden. Because it's only garden refuse it's carbon neutral. Better (and cheaper) than using the council service.
Thanks for sharing this. The municipal fireworks is not quite the same as the local bonfire and the dads trying to impress the kids. There are still serious bonfire societies in East Sussex, worth keeping the traditions even allowing for the ant-Catholic pedigree.
Fond memories of my childhood, throwing bangers into the most miserable neighbours gardens and building bonfires. Traditions like this need to be kept alive, and Lewes are at the forefront of what is possible.
That's very kind of you, Johnny. Can we go Penny-for-the-Guying beforehand?
Back in the day fireworks were wonderful (you saved your pocket money and curated your collection with care over weeks. ) But the bonfire was the big deal. And the freedom we were given to do daft and dangerous and essential things was glorious and unimaginable today. https://www.josieholford.com/dark-times/
Great article! Whatever your historical perspective 'the 5th' was our own Thanksgiving, not only for the failure of a terrorist plot but also for the birth of constitutional monarchy when William 3rd landed at Brixham . All our National distinctive traditions are being extinguished piecemeal, we need the spirit of the Lewes bonfire boys to resist.
I really enjoyed reading that, fantastic. Thanks Niall👏🏻
There are some other independent spirited bonfire societies - I’ve been to one in Hastings. People should get together and organise their own, but there’s always someone, that droning voice, the Health & Safety busybody. They use dark implications of getting sued or things about insurance to reduce the world down to their dreary, risk-averse approach.
Excellent article. Glad to see someone sticking up for British traditions and for childhood independence. Crystal Palace had an organised display every year but most of the time we organised our own bonfire night, in the back garden, with a BIG bonfire (neighbours called the fire brigade on one occasion) and a few fireworks, sparklers and baked potatoes. I went to Lewes once. Crazy. They were letting fireworks off all over the place. I'm all for living dangerously, but not THAT dangerously!
Guy Fawkes night is one of my favourite English traditions. I have certainly made sure to educate my youngsters in the history and significance of the day.
You're always welcome at our bonfire party Niall. Always on the 5th. No moving it to the nearest Saturday. On the eco front, I just store all the hedge and garden trimmings from the year and burn them in one fabulous conflagration in a fire pit in the garden. Because it's only garden refuse it's carbon neutral. Better (and cheaper) than using the council service.
I seriously miss bonfire night.
It was always a special time in my house with a bonfire and lots of fireworks and a BBQ.
Friends and family.
Then I moved out of London to rural Kent.
The horsey people go bonkers if you so much a let of a sparkler.
Thanks for sharing this. The municipal fireworks is not quite the same as the local bonfire and the dads trying to impress the kids. There are still serious bonfire societies in East Sussex, worth keeping the traditions even allowing for the ant-Catholic pedigree.
Fond memories of my childhood, throwing bangers into the most miserable neighbours gardens and building bonfires. Traditions like this need to be kept alive, and Lewes are at the forefront of what is possible.
A brilliant post Niall. Thanks!