Guy Fawkes Night

Bonfire Night 5th of November

This is an open invitation to everybody of joining in walking up Arthurs Seat on Guy Fawkes Night/Bonfire Night 5th of November, meeting at the ISC, 8pm.

So what's it all about?

In the UK, Bonfire Night is celebrated annually on the 5^th of November. It commemorates an event which occured 404 years ago in London.

Early in the morning of the 5^th of November 1605, a group of conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. They were angry about the persecution of English Catholics and hoped to kill the King and Members of Parliament.

However, some members of the group had second thoughts. One man actually wrote a letter to his friend who worked in the House of Commons, warning him not to go there on the 5^th of November.

The plot was discovered. The explosives were found in the cellar of the Houses of Parliament, and the members of the group were caught, tortured and killed. The man who is always remembered as the leader of the plot was called Guy Fawkes.

Later that day, Londoners lit bonfires to celebrate the failure of the plot to kill the king. The tradition has continued for centuries.

Nowadays, ‘Bonfire Night’ is celebrated with fireworks and sparklers. There is also a tradition of burning Guy Fawkes in effigy on the bonfires, although it was practised more often in the past. Children would make a ‘Guy’ and wheel it around the streets, asking for a ‘penny for the guy’. Some people cook on their bonfires, and eat foods such as jacket (or baked) potatoes and sausages.

A traditional rhyme for the occasion which many children still learn is:

Remember remember the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot...

This site has bonfire night food ideas.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/news_and_events/events_bonfirenight.shtml

This site has simple information about the history of Guy Fawkes.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A199488