Bonfire Night in Penistone

Our Bonfire Night Tradition
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.

So the saying goes, referring to Guido 'Guy' Fawkes' plot to destroy parliament and all within it using more than thirty barrels of gunpowder. The strong English tradition of Bonfire Night came from the foiling of this plot. On its 400th Anniversary in 2005, some people tried to rename it "Our five-eleven" from the 5/11/1605 date but it never caught on as a name. The word 'bonfire' comes from bone fire. An effigy of Guy Fawkes is traditionally burnt on top of the bonfire.

Every 5th November (or Saturday closest to it), skies throughout England come alive with smoke from roaring fires, flashes of firework displays and loud crackles and bangs. If you could stand in a high place in our area, you would see the glow of several fires. At home, people hold small firework parties with neighbours and friends. They will eat hot jacket potatoes with butter, toffee apples and (in Yorkshire) Parkin, which is a cake made of treacle and oats.

It doesn't happen any more but groups of young kids used to demand 'Penny for the Guy?'. They usually pushed an old pram around with a Guy Fawkes effigy (in grandad's coat) to raise a few pennies for fireworks and sweets. That's in the days when a few pennies was enough to do the buying. Hallowe'en has crossed the pond now and obliterated our old custom, probably because the dates are close together, the fear of 'stranger danger' and that parents buy the fireworks now. We always had bundles of bangers in our pockets when I was a young 'un but it is now illegal for anyone under 18 to buy fireworks in the UK.

In these safety-conscious (compensation culture) days, there are far fewer garden bonfires and Guy's effigy is seen less often. Catherine wheels and jumping jacks were banned many years ago and kids don't drop lit bangers in dustbins any more. That used to be great fun. That and putting lit pieces of paper up drainpipes.

It's rather naff to call it Fireworks Night, as some do, as that ignores the very old bonfire tradition. It's like calling Christmas 'Wintertide' or Penistone Church 'St. John's'. In these increasingly regulated times, some local councils require registration before a public bonfire can be arranged. All my mates had bonfires in their gardens when we were kids and local young lads often formed raiding parties to nick wood from other fires. Sometimes they had to post a guard overnight if it was a good one.

A Typical Bonfire Night in Penistone
We always have a great fire and fireworks display on the Showground in Penistone, organised these days by the Round Table society and overseen by local firemen. It is the one day a year when they can get away with a bit of fire-raising. Their torches are always dim and I smugly stand in the crowd with a powerful LED one, to help them find their matches. There is always a good turnout on what is usually a bitterly cold night on the exposed Showground field.

I think someone should set off a loud and colourful firework to signify the fire-lighting at 6.45pm. The fire goes on for a long time before the fireworks show starts. Traditional parkin (treacle oatcake), treacle toffee, toffee apples and other refreshments are usually available. Elsewhere, traders sell coloured lights and luminous necklaces for the nippers. There is also usually some music through a tannoy. It can be very appropriate. 'War of the Worlds' was a hoot once when low cloud reflected coloured flashes from many miles distant, just like an invasion of Martians. 'Fire Raiser' was another good one.

Penistone always has a good fireworks display and it must cost a fortune. The crowd 'oooh' and 'aaaah' at the fireworks but it soon becomes a self-parody and dissolves into giggles. Small children weave patterns and words with sparklers and coloured LED widgets. Gunpowder smells, distant fireworks and other bonfires add to the atmosphere. It must be thrilling to fly over the UK on Bonfire Night.

Why Have Bonfire Night?
Here's my spin on the history, as gleaned from the 'Famous Yorkshiremen' book in Penistone Library. It was a time of serious oppresion to Roman Catholics. Guido 'Guy' Fawkes was a Catholic Yorkshireman who had reached breaking point. He plotted with friends to blow up and devastate parliament when King James I and other oppressors would be in session. But as they developed the plot, more people had to be let in on the secret.

News leaked out and the authorities heard about it through a hastily delivered warning letter, throwing them into a state of utter panic. After a thorough search, Guy was arrested as he guarded the cellar with the gunpowder barrels. He stayed at his post to the end, in spite of warnings that arrest was imminent.

The plan had become common knowledge. Arrested and expecting to be tortured, he was resigned to his fate. He was tortured on the rack but refused to name the others until it was clear that they were already discovered. Remaining conspirators were rounded up and Guy was hung after about three weeks of torture. Their heads were then put on poles as a warning to the people. Ah, the good old days.

So our annual bonfire ceremony commemorates the rescuing of parliament from what would now be called a terrorist attack by religious extremists. It has certainly stood the test of time, even if the health and safety gestapo try to stamp it out every year. The original burned effigy was that of the Pope!