Bonfire Night ~ Has it Died a Death ?

[GB72]

I am not a big fan of this time of year. Halloween used to be a bit of fun for little kids and was all over by 8.00. Now you get gangs of teenagers hammering on doors until God knows what time looking for money and not sweets. Used to be that if you did no have a pumpkin or such like outside then you were left alone but not any more. I now have some sweets for the early trick or treaters then shut all the lights off downstairs and watch TV upstairs so as I am not disturbed.

As for bonfire night, I too remember the big community events, my village used to have a great display. Then it became the thing for clubs and charitable organisations to use such events to raise funds (which I have no problem with) but that meant that the community event died out as people spread out to the various disparate displays. What I do have a problem with, however, is the weeks before and after with yobs firing bangers and fireworks off in the street all night. Personally, I would insist that every display has a licence and that one has to be produced to purchase fireworks.

Sorry, bit of a grumpy rant.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Yobs in Rutland.....I am surprised!

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Love bonfire night, been hoarding wood for a few months now with one of my mates. Portobello beach in Edinburgh is a great place to watch fireworks, loads of families have their own wee display and bonfire, probably 20-odd bonfires on the go and people wandering along with their kids watching it all.I love it, and spend far too much on fireworks.

I guess I'm lucky to live in an area that tries it's best to keep their 'community' feel going.

 

[Qwerty]

I used to love bonfire night when I was a kid. We used to have about 4 just on our estate, we'd be collecting wood for about a month before, it was all about who could build the biggest bonfire.
Everyone you knew was there with their parents, Dads having a beer, treacle toffee, toffee apples, black peas, baked potatoes in the fire and of course the fireworks. Everyone had a smile on their face, it was always a great night.

Nowadays you have to get in the car, drive to an organised bonfire, pay to get in and get told what to do by some do Gooder in a high vis' vest. Then stand with a load of strangers behind a barrier, so far away from the fire that you can barely feel the heat.

Its really a shame that its dying out. I'm not surprised though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There is a big one in the middle of Blue Mountains driving range ready for their annual display. Makes an interesting alternative target

 

[ScienceBoy]

The annual fire work display in Cambridge is free and attracts over 25,000 people each year. It is a brilliant display and rightly attracts people from every walk of life. I've been going for years and have never seen anyone do anything other than enjoy the spectacle.

But finding your bicycle in the dark in the sea of bikes at the end is a nightmare!

 

[devdor]

I only see bonfires near beaches in my area. People gather there and do some booze, singing and laughter. I only experienced bonfire once in my lifetime, and that was at our college farewell party before going our separate ways.

 

[Chrimbo]

Come down to Lewes in Sussex on the 5th a see how you celebrate bonfire night.

http://www.lewesbonfirecelebrations.com/

 

[kev_off_the_tee]

Still a few large fireworks displays and bonfires in the north east.

I've been going up to the Seal at Hexham for years and they never disappoint. Turn up early to get parked, take the family for our tea then head over to get the best position. Plenty of sparklers and a hip flask at the ready.

It's been something I've done every year since I was a young lad with my parents and will continue with my wife and daughter every yer without fail

 

[viscount17]

.as with a lot of life's more enjoyable moments, bonfire night has been both regulated and priced to death. it has also been usurped by foreign imports - hallow'een which did not feature in my youth - it started off mildly with the kids making an effort to be creative but where it hasn't been overrun by yobs it's become a competition between the mum.

back then you made a guy and trailed it around the locality for pennies, a good one could earn you enough for a few bangers or jumping jacks (always popular) and maybe even the odd rocket, try doing that today, you'll need at least a fiver a go. you burnt the guy either on the family bonfire or paraded it at the local one before a mass burning. usually you had a bonfire early at home then went to a bigger one and ended up wandering the town to watch any late shows.

you also have to hold an explosives licence to run fireworks events bigger than a couple of boxes of sparklers (my mate has one, he's an ex-Raf armourer as are many), plus you need a licence from the council to hold it in the first place, complete with health and safety risk analysis, and a ton of other paperwork

 

[wrighty1874]

There are a few on this weekend a few more more the following w/end in our area.

 

[the hammer]

There is a big one in the middle of Blue Mountains driving range ready for their annual display. Makes an interesting alternative target

theres one in the middle of our practice ground, between the 16th and 17th!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Crazyface]

I can only assume all the moaners on here have never experienced the bonfire built by the locals and everyone attending with treacle toffee and alike. We usually have one in our back garden, but not this year as we are too busy. But we've had loads of calls asking if ours is on. We usally have an attendance of about 20 and all turn up with something to eat. Hotpot, red cabbage, baked spuds, cakes. God my mouths watering....

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Crazy face,
We lived in the wilds of Surrey for 5 years and our children were the only kids in the area.
I had a big back garden and all the neighbours would come to our bonfire bearing loads of goodies.
happy times.

 

[Paul_Stewart]

Round here you have the Kempton Park firework display. Always advertised to start at 7.30. Never gets going until 8.15 at the earliest whilst they sell more food and drink. We once organised a sweep on how late it would actually begin which ended up in the local press and really pissed off the organisers.

 

[JPH]

It's all about Diwali round here

Fireworks make me jump , there pretty though