Thursday 5 November 2009

What A Guy..

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

What's all that about? Well the 5th of November marks an annual celebration here in the UK called bonfire night or more correctly 'Guy Fawkes' night. It commemorates the downfall of the Gunpowder Plot on this day way back in 1605 when a number of Catholic conspiritors (including a Yorkshire chappie named Guy Fawkes) attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.

The group of rebels (against the Protestant monarchy)were led by Robert Caseby but it was Mr. Fawkes who was put in charge of the actual execution of the task. He was caught and so the whole of his gang were hung, drawn and quartered (accept Fawkes who broke his neck on the gallows and died instantly...they were to be quartered alive..he escaped that fate).

The tradition came to hold a bonfire on the anniversary of this discovery and burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes to celebrate his demise.

When I was a kid my Grandad used to take me down to the local park where everyone gathered round a huge bonfire and watch the colourful fireworks in the sky above. We'ed eat hot soup to keep out the cold and those brave enough would edge up to the huge fire to toast marshmallows. Before we went home we would buy toffee apples that I'd end up getting stuck to my mittens.

Sadly, nowadays due to safety measures, public licences and high insurance rates there are hardly any public bonfires. I hate the fact that people can still buy fireworks over the counter at supermarkets and hardware stores and let them off in their gardens or worse in the street. Where is the sense in that?

Tonight Patch and I are safely staying in. Luckily he is not scared of the bangs of fireworks outdoors but he gets a bit worked up and tends to let out a bark here and there. At the moment he is fast asleep under a blanket (giving off not-so sweet doggie smells I might add!).
Other Stuff: Had a no-knitting day..it happens.
Fave Snack Of The Day: Yorkie biscuit...might need another.

1 comment:

Cecelia said...

Very sweet memories of Grandad. Thanks for sharing.