Category Archives: Fireworks

Bonfire Night, Batheaston 2013

Saturday night we had our first round of Fireworks in the heart of Bath, England in preparation for Bonfire Night 2013. Last night on (Remember, Remember…) the 5th of November we celebrated in typical English fashion with a Bonfire, fireworks, warm food and mulled wine. The USA has their firework displays for their Independence Day from England in 1776 and the UK burns effigies of Guy Fawkes, a man who failed the Gunpowder plot of 1605. After celebrating Bonfire Night last year in Lewes, I honestly favour the UK holiday. If you are ever going to be in England for Bonfire night I highly recommend heading to Lewes for it is the biggest celebrated Fifth November Event in the world. In fact there are six different bonfire society’s all celebrating the Fifth in various parts of the town. Each has their own processions, traditions, costumes, fire sites and fireworks.

My History with Bonfire Night

When we lived in England, when I was a young girl, I loved going to Bonfire night. Even when we moved away from England my dad will still take me to celebrate it. I have fond memories of when we lived in Italy and getting together with the RAF families to set fire to the Guy and watch the bonfire burn. When we moved to England in 2011, this was one of anticipated ‘firsts’ that I wanted to experience with my husband and sons. There was a bonfire society near where my kids went to school that year and the school was involved in the procession. This meant we got to hold up banners and march all around the town of Lindfield, waving to the crowds of people watching. I even got to hold a flaming torch which was probably the most exciting part of that night for me. As we were part of the procession we got a prime location to watch the bonfire and fireworks from later that evening as well. It was our first Bonfire Night together as a family in England and a very memorable one indeed.

I hope you enjoyed our photos from Bonfire night last night. I did not blog in the month of November last year and so I have not yet shared photos from Lewes on ACR. Will be sharing those soon, so please check back.

Q: Did you celebrate Bonfire Night last night?

November Fireworks – Bath, England

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This past weekend we kicked off the holiday season with fireworks here in Bath, England. For those of you who do not know, November 5th is Bonfire night here in the UK. Since the 5th lands on a Tuesday this year the city had fireworks going on for the weekend. We had the pleasure of watching the show with our theatre community and had an amazing view. It started pouring rain half way through so we caught the last half inside the Drama Hut. It was a great local to see the firework show. We just found out there will be something in our town for tomorrow night and I am hoping it includes a Bonfire complete with Guy Fawkes!

Just to recap the rest of the weekend, we had a lot of rain. However despite the showers we kept ourselves busy. Friday we went into Bradford on Avon for a country walk, I had a committee meeting with the Bath Drama group that night, followed by drinks at the pub. Saturday we watched Arsenal play Liverpool at the pub followed by the Fireworks. Sunday I caught a secret engagement going on on at the Pulteney Bridge on my way to Panto rehearsal. It was really romantic and all the people watching from across the way cheered the happy couple on. It was a great weekend and now that it is over I am looking forward to my trip to London next weekend!

Q: What were the highlights from your weekend?

Bonfire Night: November 5th, 2011

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REMEMBER, REMEMBER, THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER…

“Remember remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder, treason

Should ever be forgot…”

Some of my most cherished memories as a young girl is celebrating the fifth of November. Having been born in England and growing up there a few years later down the road, I picked up the fondness and excitement about Bonfire night and watching the ‘Guy’ burn on the Bonfire while watching fireworks with my family. Even when we were not living in England, my father made sure I got to keep my English heritage close at hand. While residing Napoli, Italia we met with the RAF families at the receiver site in Lago Patria and celebrated the 5th with a bonfire and eating jacket potatoes and bangers.

Having relocated back to England with my family this Summer, this holiday has been awaited with much eagerness by us all. The boys a little unsure of what to expect, but excited by the outcome of fireworks and good food. Ryan, having enjoyed the graphic novel and film ‘V for Vendetta’ was only spurred on by more excitement from the parents at the boys’ school about the night’s festivities. Not only would we be attending Bonfire night, but we would be involved with the rest of the parents, students and staff of their school. We lined up in a group, representing the school with a variety of signs and lanterns, and paraded through the town of Lindfield. We led a procession which aside from our group consisted of a band and the Lindfield Bonfire society. I would say my favourite part was getting to hold a torch a lit with fiery flames as we walked through crowds that lined the high street to the Bonfire area. The night just got better as we had a VIP front row view of the burning of the Guy and the amazing firework display. Afterwards my family enjoyed a nice supper of burgers and bangers from one of the vendors, and walked home talking about the fun that we had. It was definitely a night to remember and one I know my dad would have enjoyed with us.