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NOVEMBER 5TH
Bonfire Night, November 5th, Guy Fawkes Night . . . all names for the same celebration; but how did it start? What are we celebrating and why?
Bonfire Night
Throughout the world, since ancient history, there have been fire
celebrations in the Autumn. Britain has been no exception and pagan or
Celtic festivities date back many centuries.
By the Middle Ages the bonfires had been supplemented with fireworks
and had become associated with the accession of the monarch.
With the Gunpowder Plot a new theme became the norm. In fact,
for nearly two centuries after the Plot it was compulsory by law to celebrate
the deliverance of the monarch, and bonfires and fireworks became a tradition
firmly identified with November 5th.
Fire Festivals • Bonfire Societies • Guy Fawkes Carnivals
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
Guy
Fawkes was just one of a group of plotters, but he had the misfortune to
be caught in the act and is therefore the one most closely associated the
Plot.
A group of a dozen or so used their religious allegiance as an excuse for
extreme terrorist action. They attempted to blow up the governement and
the monarch in the Houses of Parliament but were foiled.
Buy Fireworks
At fireworks.co.uk you will find all of the top UK brands and suppliers. Old favourites Standard (who have now absorbed Brocks) from when mum and dad were kids are now alongside more recent best-sellers and you can buy Black Cat, Cosmic, Kimbolton and Men Shun fireworks.
All of your regular favourites - rockets, mines, fountains and catherine wheels - are available to buy online, together with the newer cakes and single ignition units.
There is also further information about all of the topics on this page, plus much more about anything to do with fireworks.
Buy fireworks:
Cosmic • Black
Cat • Men Shun • Kimbolton
What to Buy
It is possible that you haven't bought fireworks since you were a youngster, or maybe you've only seen what is available in the shops.
To help you choose what's best for your Nov5th party there are a number of resources about modern fireworks: what they are, and what they do.
Glossary 1 • 2 Fireworks types
Party Time
There is of course much more to Guy Fawkes Night than just fireworks and a bonfire.
Everybody loves sparklers and the're so cheap. If you are involved with a community or fund-raising event then procession torches create a beautiful atmosphere, and glow novelties can be really profitable.
Also, visit the Party Pages at fireworks.co.uk for party fare and for seasonal recipes.
SAFETY
Above all, make your celebration safe. Accidents happen anywhere and bonfire and fireworks parties have particular hazards. Safety standards are improving all the time and injury statistics are falling, so help to keep fireworks safe.
Safety • Fireworks Code • RoSPA • H&SE • Pets
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| sparklers | wax torches | glow |