Bonfire Night

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

And in England we don't forget. November 5th is an annual celebration of the foiled attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 by a number of Catholic conspirators including Guy Fawkes.


Traditionally we celebrate by lighting a bonfire and setting off fireworks. Throughout Leeds there were 5 sites where public fires and firework displays were organized. One of these was at Springhead Park, which is adjacent to where we live.

The Park personnel spent 2 days building the fire. The boys could see the huge pile of wood from their bedroom and were amazed as truck load upon truck load of wooden pallets were brought in.

There were several thousand that attended, but I think we had just about the best view as we stood at the property line between our place and the park. We had no one in front of us.

As the fire roared the heat became really intense and the people who were watching from the park had to move back about 20 ft from the rail to escape the heat.

Then at 7.30 the firework display began. We were treated to a 25 minute show of spectacular fireworks.

It was a really good evening as we shared it with friends.

It did remind us a little of the US Independence Day with the incredible fireworks BUT November 5th in England is definitely a little .... I mean a LOT colder than July 4th in Missouri!!!!


By Friday morning all that remained was a small pile of smoldering ashes and memories of a good evening.

Michelle