Sandwiched between Halloween and Remembrance, for many, the traditions of Bonfire Night are becoming a little inconvenient.
“I think it’s a cleft stick” amid these two commemorations says Jeremey Harte, President of the Folklore Society, “and putting on three annual events in a week is pushing things”.
Declining public interest, tougher regulations and the rising costs of firework displays is placing ever greater pressure on volunteer groups, Harte adds.
“Unlike Halloween, Bonfire Night requires community involvement and months of planning”.
This year many bonfire nights across the country have been cancelled due to safety concerns and budget constraints, including at Primrose Hill in north London.
So, could it follow the fateful demise of Guy Fawkes?
“I think it’s really important to carry on these traditions” says Connor Liberty, who volunteers with the Roxeth Scouts in Harrow, one of the few London scout groups which still hosts a bonfire.
“We’re in an area that’s not particularly rich so we want to keep the costs down as much as possible.”
Entry to Thursday’s event was £6 for adults and £4 for children, a far cry from average London prices, which can be around £15 per person.
Liberty told City News the group had incorporated elements of Diwali to draw more visitors from the local community, while other modernisations include the new inflation-proof ‘pound for the guy’ and less flammable effigies to reduce safety concerns.
Across town in Beckenham, organiser of the charity fireworks display, Chris Martin, say “compliance, risk and safety have made things increasingly difficult”.
But some recent changes have been welcomed, particularly an earlier, quieter display for autistic scouts, which is proving popular among families with young children.
Borne of the 1605 political rebellion when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, Bonfire Night has deep cultural roots in England.
But with the increasing need to ensure the safety or wellbeing of people and pets, could the 5 November become harder to remember?
No, says Emily, a Cub Scout, at the Roxeth firework display:
“Halloween is more to get sweets, but Bonfire Night is to remember history”, a statement with which her fellow scouts fervently agreed .
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineThe communities trying to keep London’s bonfires burning
Short HeadlineThe communities trying to keep London’s bonfires burning
Standfirst
Sandwiched between Halloween and Remembrance, for many, the traditions of Bonfire Night are becoming a little inconvenient.
“I think it’s a cleft stick” amid these two commemorations says Jeremey Harte, President of the Folklore Society, “and putting on three annual events in a week is pushing things”.
Declining public interest, tougher regulations and the rising costs of firework displays is placing ever greater pressure on volunteer groups, Harte adds.
“Unlike Halloween, Bonfire Night requires community involvement and months of planning”.
This year many bonfire nights across the country have been cancelled due to safety concerns and budget constraints, including at Primrose Hill in north London.
So, could it follow the fateful demise of Guy Fawkes?
“I think it’s really important to carry on these traditions” says Connor Liberty, who volunteers with the Roxeth Scouts in Harrow, one of the few London scout groups which still hosts a bonfire.
“We’re in an area that’s not particularly rich so we want to keep the costs down as much as possible.”
Entry to Thursday’s event was £6 for adults and £4 for children, a far cry from average London prices, which can be around £15 per person.
Liberty told City News the group had incorporated elements of Diwali to draw more visitors from the local community, while other modernisations include the new inflation-proof ‘pound for the guy’ and less flammable effigies to reduce safety concerns.
Across town in Beckenham, organiser of the charity fireworks display, Chris Martin, say “compliance, risk and safety have made things increasingly difficult”.
But some recent changes have been welcomed, particularly an earlier, quieter display for autistic scouts, which is proving popular among families with young children.
Borne of the 1605 political rebellion when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, Bonfire Night has deep cultural roots in England.
But with the increasing need to ensure the safety or wellbeing of people and pets, could the 5 November become harder to remember?
No, says Emily, a Cub Scout, at the Roxeth firework display:
“Halloween is more to get sweets, but Bonfire Night is to remember history”, a statement with which her fellow scouts fervently agreed .
