Bonfire Night 2022

The teddy bears had a great time at their local organised Charity Bonfire Party this year. All their friends came round to their house first, and they all went together, wearing their hi-vis jackets so that they would be safely seen when they were walking down the pavement.

James, who was still only a very young bear, couldn't understand what it was all about, although he loved all the lights and fireworks and food involved. "Why do we have Bonfire Night?" he asked Scary. "Nowhere else in the world does."

"Well," he replied. "It's a typically British celebration. It all goes back a very long way - well over four hundred years in British history!"

"Wow!" said James. "That's an awfully long time ago."

"Yes it is," agreed Scary. "But it marks the failure of the Gunpowder Plot on November the 5th, 1605, when a group of evil conspirators planned to blow up Parliament and kill King James I. There were 13 bad people involved, one of whom was called Guy Fawkes."

"Oh, I've heard of him," said James. "That's the name of the figure that is burnt on top of every bonfire."

"Well done," said Scary. "He is the most famous of the conspirators as he was the one caught in the cellar below the House of Lords with 36 barrels of gunpowder, ready to light the fuse to blow them all up. All the others were caught later and put in prison. So we're celebrating that they were stopped as it would have changed the course of British history.

The fireworks represent the explosives that were only just found in time to prevent a catastrophe. Even nowadays, on the night of the 5th of November, Parliamentary guards carry out a ceremonial search in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament."

"Isn't there a rhyme about it?" asked Vicky.

"Yes, there is," replied Scary. "Do you remember it?"

"Yes," Vicky said.

"Remember, Remember, The Fifth Of November, Gunpowder Treason And Plot, We See No Reason Why Gunpowder Treason Should Ever Be Forgot."

"So don't forget what it's all about," instructed Scary. "But let's make sure we enjoy the celebrations!"

So that's what they did. They watched the huge bonfire being lit, with Guy Fawkes on top of it. They had each been given sparklers to light to create their own mini firework display. They ate lots of yummy food - jacket potatoes, hot soup, sausages, treacle toffee, toffee apples and parkin! Then they stood and watched a wonderful firework display with lots of bright colours and noisy bangs. Eventually they wandered home and fell straight into their beds, very, very tired and very, very full!

Maybe you can get to visit an organised Bonfire Night Party this year, or even have a small celebration at home in your garden. Whichever, have a great time but don't forget the reason why we celebrate!