Guy Fawkes Night

Guy Fawkes is a historic tradition in Britain and New Zealand. When I was young, we had a bonfire every year on 5 November and had fun with sparklers and crackers. But these days the regulations on fireworks sales are now restricted and most districts organise public fireworks displays. It is always a concern of public safety and fire risk, each year many accidents happen, when fireworks are misused. The SPCA also have great concern for animals being injured or terrified with the noise of the fireworks.

The event’s history begins on the 5 November 1605, it is the anniversary of the discovery of a plot organized by Catholic conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in 1605. Guy Fawkes was a member of the Gunpowder Plot, and he was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords, England.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes

Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes, 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.

Guy Fawkes Day is the celebration the fact that King James I, had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.

The Guy Fawkes events, also called Bonfire Night, continue in Britain and in New Zealand. Hopefully, this week event will be a fun night for everyone, and family, children and pets will stay safe.

Betty Matthews

1 November 2024