h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Maybe Bonfire Night seems to be dying down because by the time we get to 5th November people are sick to the back teeth of fireworks?

I love a pretty, colourful firework as much as the next person but do they have to be so loud? [I have a who isn't happy when the world keeps exploding] Some of them are all noise & no visual, and I've seen (or should I say heard) people letting them off when it's not even dusk, let alone dark.

I don't mind trick or treaters, on the night, in fact I have a MASSIVE bowl of sweets ready for tonight, but I like to see a responsible adult lurking in the background when small kids knock at my door. The teenagers, however, are probably going to be disappointed when they, too, get offered the sweetie bowl rather than a handful of change



Deb

Agreed and the sale of fireworks to children has been banned, and small cheap fireworks are no longer available, bring back the banger.

This is a major factor in the loss of popularity, it you spend your child hood throwing bangers at your friends and vice versa, (yes a little dangerous but no one was hurt) you looked forward with keen anticipation to the 5th, and the three to six days the fireworks were on sale.

The 'you must not its dangerous' culture has spoilt this aspect of the traditional 5th, and children have grown up with the lack of excitement and anticipation, which made the event so popular.
These children now adult cant be bothered and formal displays are good but un exciting, so the event is dying out.

Halloween is however exciting and the event window is short so the anticipation factor is huge. Yes the dangers are real (traffic other children strangers) but that’s the point, that’s the excitement.

So like it or not the Halloween festival will grow and 5th November will dwindle. That is until the safety police get hold of it.

If you take away all danger especially this kind you will dull the awareness to danger in the children, these children will become unaware reckless adults, and an even more dangerous will result.

If Halloween needs to be dangerous for kids, then try the urban legend we got when I was kid trick or treating in Canada. We were told that nasty people put razor blades in bags of sweets and fruit and stuff that we got. Believe me, that made it very dangerous and therefore exciting to open a packet of candy!!

But did you enjoy it do remember it and the thrill it gave you.

I think it is a sad reflection of how Americanised England has become, but the shops are the ones who drive Halloween. It would be no where near as popular if they didnt push it so much, as it is a great money spinner for them. I wouldn't be surprised if Thanks' giving started to 'catch' on in England if the shop's could figure a way of it making them more money!
I have nothing against Halloween, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, Cousin's Day, Valentines Day or what ever other day's are made up by the shops to make more money, I just think it's a shame that so many people get suckered into them and don't understand what they are all about! The storey of Guy Faukes is a bit of history that should be celebrated just so people remember the story. But what is the storey in Halloween?!

Really I feel there are forces conspiring to push Halloween to the fore while November 5th is moving into the background.

As recently as 10-15 years ago, November 5th you'd have gone to your local park there'd be a big bonfire and fireworks. Some of them (like Catherine's Wheels) on the ground. Then you wouldn't see a firework again for another 12 months.

Nowadays fireworks displays occur all year round, especially at this time of year, but also New Year's. Through the summer months a lot of seaside towns have displays every week to try and entice visitors.

The health & safety brigade don't seem to like any sort of ground based fireworks or bonfires for obvious reasons so that pushes the excitement of November 5th further into the background.

November 5th itself is less often referred to as Bonfire Night and more often Fireworks night. The big organised displays tend to happen on the weekend nearest the 5th. The origins are being lost.

Meanwhile Halloween has been marketed and pushed by the shops. It's become a good excuse to combine a fancy dress party with your bonfire/fireworks night celebration.

All in all, it's just a changing of the guard. And has anyone mentioned whether there are any PC implications in celebrating the burning of Catholics for attempting treason?!?!?

The reason bonfire night is disappearing probably has more to do with everyones kids wanting display type fireworks which cost about £100 a box (I've just seen one UK website offering a DIY display set of 10 fireworks for £130 + vat).

Mind you, it does p me off when every year the environment brigade start moaning at all the smoke from everyones bonfires.

Hey Raddox just buy the gunpowder and make your own

What is bonfire night actually celebrating?

The victory of an opressive government over a small group of radicals.

O.K. the radicals were likely to cause anarchy.

The government of the day used to persecute Catholics, just like the Catholics used to persecute everyone else.

Or is it just about a victory for democracy? Which is worth celebrating isn't it?

My post Frae Ghoulies and Ghosties talks a little about the story of Hallowe'en if you are interested.

Regards