Guy Fawkes

lillyrose on Oct 29, 2009

Tags: bonfire night, fireworks, gunpowder, guy fawkes, house of lords, parliament, penny for the guy

Should fireworks still be sold to the public? Bonfire night is still hugely celebrated here in England and in British colonies around the world.

Should fireworks still be sold to the public?

Bonfire night is still hugely celebrated here in England and in British colonies around the world.

Organised bonfires and firework displays take place to mark the failed gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes on the 5th of November 1605, where he tried to blow up the houses of parliament to kill King James I, because it seemed he was no more tolerant to the English Catholics than his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I.

On this night, it was thought to be Robert Catesby that was the leader of the extremists and he fore fronted the plan to blow up parliament but it was Guy Fawkes that was found in a cellar, under the House of Lords with 36 barrels of gun powder. The authorities had, had a tip off that the plot was going to happen and they stormed the cellar in the early hours of the morning. Finding only Guy Fawkes in the cellar, they torched and executed him.

Now day’s children don’t seem to make Guys anymore. The Guy would be made from old clothes, much like a scarecrow and he would be placed on top of the burning bonfire. Years ago children use to make a Guy then wheel him round in a wheelbarrow shouting “Penny for the Guy” but I doubt children now days even know what a Guy is! Or what bonfire night and fire works represent.

Fireworks are not supposed to be sold to anyone under 18 but youngsters still manage to get hold of them. Just yesterday when I walked my dogs on the park, there was a group of young teenagers letting off fireworks, right next to themselves on an enclosed all weather football pitch. Very dumb if you don’t want to live your life with burns.

I think fireworks look fantastic and they can be very exciting to watch but I would rather see them at an organized event and not around the streets and public areas being tossed so casually by hormonal teenage boys, they are mini bombs after all.

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Comments (16)

STEVE666 on Oct 29, 2009
Good post, Lily. Yeah, I remember, as a youngster, making a Guy and doing the ‘penny for it’ bit. Could make a tidy sum too. Nowadays, at this time of the year the more commercially American Halloween thing seems more evident—which is a shame. Another age-old tradition disappearing.
Frances Lawrence on Oct 29, 2009
I agree with you, they should ban sales of fireworks except for organised displays, they cause so much upset to animals and we have weeks of disruption from fireworks going off. By the way you have a typo, it should be Guy Fawkes.
martinpm on Oct 29, 2009
Great article, here in india its a festival of fireworks (Depavali) and by the end of the day you have lots of casualties. enjoyed read.
ken bultman on Oct 29, 2009
Bah humbug. When I was a kid I ordered firecrackers from the back cover of comic books. Now in this state it’s illegal to sell, possess or ignite them as individuals, adult or not.
Frosty Johnson on Oct 29, 2009
Used to love the run up to Guy Fawkes night as a kid, now i think the american tradition of trick or treating has become more common than penny for the guy.
lillyrose on Oct 29, 2009
Frances, thanks for that, I am a stupid woman! and you are so right about the animals, although my 15year old dog has gone deaf and its the first time in his life he hasn’t been vomiting and peeing all over around this time of year!

Ken, I think your state is sensible!
Christine Ramsay on Oct 29, 2009
I am not looking forward to it as where I live there seems to be a firework display every day for about three weeks. It gets a bit monotonous. At least most of these are organised. A good post.
diamondpoet on Oct 29, 2009
I love watching fire works, but think they should only be handled by an expreienced person. Nice write!
Prometheus Ridley Scott on Oct 29, 2009
Good history lesson for the kids today. As you rightly point out I agree that the majority probably haven\’t a clue about the reason behind the celebration. Either way good points about safety too.
I remember hanging outside my local pub with my mates shouting \”penny for a guy\”…
Lostash on Oct 29, 2009
100% right on the money our Lilly! I’ve not seen a proper guy in the streets in years now, kids just don’t bother with them any more. Too busy on the Playstation killing zombies no doubt. As for fireworks, I love em. But put it this way, I don’t like going to bonfire parties where booze is involved….its an accident waiting to happen and not one I want to see.
Tanya Wallace on Oct 29, 2009
Wonderful write Lilly! Very well written and interesting. Also you just actually reminded me that bonfire night is just around the corner. This is a good history lesson for every english kid!! I enjoy bonfire night but did not grow up with it so this was a very enjoyable read!
jimbob1 on Oct 29, 2009
Looks like they trashed my original comment because I can’t find it here any place…saw it after I initially submitted it. Anyway, thanks for historical reminder about importances of Guy Fawkes Day…the forerunner of our modern Hallowe’en. Check out my Hallowe’en Hootenanny if it gets approved for publication before Christmas!!!
larry84 on Oct 29, 2009
thanks for the share
jimbob1 on Oct 29, 2009
Ooops, my Hallowe’en Hootenanny is already published it only took about five minutes!!! Guess I can pull my tongue out of my cheek…’Hey Mister Banker’ has been sitting in “pending” for more than two days!!!
deep blue on Oct 30, 2009
That’s a nice piece of fabric from England’s history. Thanks, Lisa.
oldster on Oct 31, 2009
Once again poor old Brits celebrate a heroic failure.
Why don’t they use lasers–much better display–clean and why do all fireworks have to end in a bang?

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