This week's word chosen by Astrid is Bonfire. November 5th or Bonfire Night, is a famous date here in the UK though sadly being overshadowed by Halloween. But I'm sure others will remember how important it was to us. I still remember seeing two young boys some years ago here with a sort of stuffed Guy figure on a Go-cart with a sign reading 'A Penny for the Guy'. Though thinking about it, they must have written '1p' for the Guy, though it doesn't have the same ring to it!
For any American readers of this blog, Guy Fawkes, or Guido Fawkes as he was known while fighting for the Spanish, was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics who was involved in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This was a conspiracy to assassinate King James VI and members of the Houses of Parliament.
A farm just down the road always had a growing pile of wood in a field for Bonfire Night but not this year. Maybe the farm has changed hands or the children grown up and left home. Our local town has a public fireworks display each year and when we first moved here in 2001 we could see them in the distance but trees have done what trees do, they have grown taller and we can't see the display anymore but we do enjoy a show someone has each year on the hill opposite us.
I don't have any pictures of bonfires for this week's post but I do have a lovely set of photographs taken by Katie at a bonfire night at their home in 2007.
I see Parliament are considering a debate on whether fireworks should be banned here to all except for public displays. It will be sad for those who buy sparklers and a few crackers for their children and perhaps a harmless Catherine Wheel but considering how much the noise and bangs frightens cats and dogs and the harm they do to ponies and horses in nearby fields it maybe a good idea.
Just typing 'sparklers' now has brought back memories of the year we had some sparklers left afterwards and B lit two for the grandsons when they were very little. He held them out for them to take and somehow they both grabbed them too high up and they burnt their little hands. There was much screaming in pain and tears afterwards and a very remorseful Grandfather but the boys (and their mother hopefully) forgave him.
Now off to see if others have a more successful search for 'bonfire' pictures. Have a safe Bonfire Night and take lots of photographs in case we need them again!!!
Your firework photos are fab … like you I am very light on the bonfire front, though lots of memories from years gone by. You’re right about Halloween seeming to be more popular these days, there are a fair few local organised displays taking place. When we were young it was a few sparklers and Roman candles, a bonfire in the garden and hot dogs. Thing is now … fireworks have got bigger and better and aren’t really suited to the size of our gardens 😃
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me of the history behind Guy Fawkes. I suppose times are a-changing and fireworks will be banned. I just wish they would go off on one night and not for about 2 weeks! Poor little boys and B would have been so upset too. x
ReplyDeleteThere are fireworks that have no bangs - if they were to use those - think how few animals would be terrified? Moss is wrapped up in a duvet and now has a heavy blanket weighing her down.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have a bonfire than the fireworks these days, solely due to the quantity sold and noise that the modern versions seem to make xx
I couldn't agree more. Pretty but silent would be an improvement. I agree, bonfires, lots of homemade soup and jacket potatoes would be fine. Even public displays could do without the big bangs. xx
DeleteThose are great sparkler photos, I like the way they sound when they're going off.
ReplyDeletePersonal fireworks are a thing here with any reason to shoot them off. DH and the Gmen do have some, but luckily don't do it very often. I know it does bother some animals, and for that I don't like them.
Thank you. I think everywhere here is so much smaller, close to farm animals, neighbours pets etc, so the bangs and whooshes are more scary for animals. Last year someones pony in a field panicked and rushed into the fencing and was badly injured.
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