I have always wanted a bonfire night. Growing up, we always had a village bonfire on the night of the Fifth, with fireworks, a guy to burn, potatoes wrapped in foil roasting in the fire, and sticky parkin cake. It’s traditional!
Guy Fawkes Night is the Fifth of November. The British commemorate the failed assassination plot of 1605 to blow up King James I at the State Opening of the Houses of Parliament with bonfires across the country. Guy Fawkes, the conspirator who was to light the fuse, was betrayed in the nick of time and convicted of treason. Every British village makes guys to burn on our November Fifth bonfires. Thank you to the amazing Heather Gibbons for this year’s 18-feet tall effigy!
Our Bonfire Night dinner table in the Upper Barn looking serene in the late afternoon
Dinner was autumnal comfort food, with soup, spicy macaroni cheese, and beef stew with garlic smashed potatoes
Sweet things traditionally served on Guy Fawkes Night. Parkin (top) is a light gingerbread. Toffee apples are compulsory
Despite last week’s shower, the fields are dry. We couldn’t build the enormous bonfire of our dreams, just a warming fire
Guy Fawkes was severed and burnt limb by limb
