Fifth of November - Guy Fawkes

And so here it is, 5th November, Guy Fawkes Night. A night for 'lighting up the sky with Standard Fireworks' as we used to sing along to the advert when I was a child. A night for burning the Guy on the bonfire, after we'd tried to sell him for a penny. 'A penny for the Guy, Gov'nor'.

Baked potatoes, hot dogs, homemade soup, toffee apples, what bliss. 'oohs' and 'aahs' as Dad sent another rocket flying out of the milk bottle into the bushes! Phizz, never quite made it.

My favourite firework was the Catherine Wheel which Dad would knock into the side of the garage and Mum, Nan and I would watch as he'd keep trying to get it to whizz round, eventually succeeding to my delight. How he never lost a finger or worse, I'll never know.

Then, when all of the fireworks had finished it was time to put hats, coats and gloves on and brave the icy temperatures to light the sparklers and make patterns in the moonlight.

Nowadays of course, it's mainly the large well organised events around Britain which people attend. We used to take our own children to these events when they were small, although being the traditionalist that I am I still liked to have a fireworks party at home and evoke memories of my own childhood. Happy Days!

Of course, there will be some people reading this who do not know what today is and why we 'celebrate' 5th November which marks the day that Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and needless to say, he failed. The Gunpowder Plot.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd (or by God's mercy*)
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring. (Holla*)
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!