Guy Fawkes - Bonfire Night - Fireworks
Remember, remember,
the fifth of November
gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.
People have been celebrating
"Bonfire Night" on the 5th of November,
for almost 400 years now. But why is the 5th of November
such a special day in Great Britain?
Sharni (8 years old) will tell us:
There was a new king in town
who wanted the people to worship
in his church, but not everyone was happy with this.
The Catholics weren't happy because the King (James
I)
was making life difficult for them.
A man called Guy Fawkes gathered together many people
and they decided to blow up Parliament using gunpowder.
One of Guy Fawkes'followers had a friend who worshiped
in the King's church. The 'follower' sent a letter
of warning to his friend who in turn told the King
of Guy Fawkes' plot.
Guy Fawkes and his 'followers'
were captured red-handed and thrown onto a huge bonfire
whereupon they burnt to death.
This is where the saying "gunpowder,treason
and plot" came from.
From that day onwards people
have been celebrating his capture with a bonfire and
fireworks. Traditionally a dummy of "Guy Fawkes",
which is called the "guy" and is made out
of old clothes, is thrown onto the fire and set alight.
Children go around the houses
with a dummy, asking for "a penny for the guy".
They use the money to buy fireworks.
Bonfire Night is the night for
"treacle toffee", "toffee apples"
and "Parkin" (a cake).
Do not play with fireworks, they are very dangerous.
