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Bonfire night. What's the appeal?


RedM

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I don't get it. Where's the appeal?

 

The bonfire: Let me get straight to the point. There has been no reason to stand around a fire since the very first time, way back in prehistory, that man managed to set something alight.

 

There is nothing special about it. You aren't a genius for setting fire to some sticks and there is certainly no need to pay to see a bonfire. The organisers are not mystic men conjuring up a fire demon. They are just thieves who will not only charge you for looking at fire but also charge you over the odds for a luke-warm pie and a cuppa that tastes of p*ss.

 

Fireworks: 50" plasma tellys, Blu-Ray, games consoles, billions of pages of internet, books, an early night with the one you love, a conversation, a meal, a crossword. Just some of the near-infinite number of ways you could pass the time instead of watching some sodding gunpowder make some pretty colours in the sky with an accompanying loud noise.

 

Seriously, there is no reason to watch fireworks. They haven't changed since the Chinese first felt the need to stand in a field, cold and miserable, whilst going "OOOOOHHHH......AAAAAHHHHHH" back in the 12th bloody century.

 

So, stay at home and don't be a slack-jawed dullard.

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It's about getting out, mingling with people. It's about NOT sitting in front of the TV or in front of the computer screen. It's about having a bit of a life outside the house.

 

I'm not going to one, but I know the reason for having them. It was something I always looked forward to as a kid.

 

Quite the ba humbug sort eh Martin? Christmas tree's don't change either. Heaven forbid a kid having to go into your garden to retrieve their ball.

 

Edit: I quite enjoy camping with my Wife and friends too. I guess thats a bit backward? Only if it isn't something you see sense in though, I'm guessing.

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I do enjoy a good fire, there is just something about it, even an incinerator or a basic coal fire can hypnotise me. Can't say I'm too interested in a 20ft pyre in my own garden but if it wasn't for the crowds and various other factors I'd be quite willing to go to a decent organised display.

 

Fireworks are nice enough if they are the big professional ones setup in a way that actually showcases them but I'm not really amused by the back garden efforts where it takes 30 seconds to light something that burns for 2 seconds and doesn't do anything too special.

 

Personally I'd like to see the sale of fireworks to the general public stopped and more organised displays setup but then isn't all just a celebration of being a terrorist or an extremist? Should we encourage that? Does anyone actually remember what it's all about anyway?

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It's about getting out, mingling with people. It's about NOT sitting in front of the TV or in front of the computer screen. It's about having a bit of a life outside the house.

 

I'm not going to one, but I know the reason for having them. It was something I always looked forward to as a kid.

 

Quite the ba humbug sort eh Martin? Christmas tree's don't change either. Heaven forbid a kid having to go into your garden to retrieve their ball.

 

I don't have a Xmas tree.

 

Or a garden.

 

Why would anyone want to mingle with the type of people you find at bonfire nights? Honestly, I wouldn't p*ss on them if they were on fire.

 

Although, bizarrely I would stand around and watch them burn.

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Why would anyone want to mingle with the type of people you find at bonfire nights? Honestly, I wouldn't p*ss on them if they were on fire.

 

Although, bizarrely I would stand around and watch them burn.

 

Like parents with their children, having fun watching the bonfire and fireworks? :blink:

 

Your quick to moan about everyone else's posts, yet you do come out with some s£*t sometimes yourself.

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I don't have a Xmas tree.

 

Or a garden.

 

Why would anyone want to mingle with the type of people you find at bonfire nights? Honestly, I wouldn't p*ss on them if they were on fire.

 

Although, bizarrely I would stand around and watch them burn.

 

 

No idea where you were brought up, or are living, but it sounds like a frightful place. No wonder you don't like going out.

 

I have always gone to semi-organised bonfires. I have only ever seen families out enjoying themselves with, again, a semi-organised firework display. Common sense tells you the places to stay away from. There are 2 bonfire's close to where I live and they have always been great fun. I'll certainly be taking my kids out on the 5th, even if it means dragging them from their PS3/Xbox.

 

I can only imagine you thinking of the drink fueled, chav driven car BBQ's that tend to go on throughout the country regardless of time of year.

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I do enjoy a good fire, there is just something about it, even an incinerator or a basic coal fire can hypnotise me. Can't say I'm too interested in a 20ft pyre in my own garden but if it wasn't for the crowds and various other factors I'd be quite willing to go to a decent organised display.

 

Fireworks are nice enough if they are the big professional ones setup in a way that actually showcases them but I'm not really amused by the back garden efforts where it takes 30 seconds to light something that burns for 2 seconds and doesn't do anything too special.

 

Personally I'd like to see the sale of fireworks to the general public stopped and more organised displays setup but then isn't all just a celebration of being a terrorist or an extremist? Should we encourage that? Does anyone actually remember what it's all about anyway?

 

I remember learning about guy fawkes in skool. Not sure if it is still part of the teachings at this time of year, it's more about the fire & fireworks. Basically whatever money can be made on.

 

Same goes for Christmas, Easter, St Valentines etc etc etc.

 

All good fun for the kids though.

 

Oh, fire hypnotises me too. I love fire, not in a pyromaniac way though.

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Isn't bonfire night an event linked to the history of our country? You know, the fire which they burnt Guy Fawkes on, the fireworks representing the gunpowder he planted... Remember remember the 5th of November...?

 

Does anyone still have a 'Guy' they put on the fire? We used to have a small fire at home and we used to make a guy to put on it. Was great as a kid :D

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This is great fun, talking about organised displays I went to new year (2009) fireworks at the London eye and it was truely amazing. Me and the missus went and the last firework was so bright it lit up the night sky like it was morning! That last firework was a surreal experience :)

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One nearby us is great - there is a brass band which plays throughout the evening. A guy competition for the village kiddies. Toffee apples and roasted chestnuts. They put on a ridiculously good fireworks display (least important bit for me these days) and it's all by contributions alone - they don't charge for entry.

 

Adam (3yrs old now) is coming along with us to his first one on Saturday - I hope the smoky air, the spooky atmosphere, and the "being outside in the dark after his bedtime" leaves him with similar, fond memories of the adventures I remember with my parents on bonfire night.

 

Or.... if you want to see how it's REALLY done, try going to Lewes one year. Now there is a town that knows how to do bonfire night...... they burn an effigy of the pope! :D

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One nearby us is great - there is a brass band which plays throughout the evening. A guy competition for the village kiddies. Toffee apples and roasted chestnuts. They put on a ridiculously good fireworks display (least important bit for me these days) and it's all by contributions alone - they don't charge for entry.

 

Adam (3yrs old now) is coming along with us to his first one on Saturday - I hope the smoky air, the spooky atmosphere, and the "being outside in the dark after his bedtime" leaves him with similar, fond memories of the adventures I remember with my parents on bonfire night.

 

Or.... if you want to see how it's REALLY done, try going to Lewes one year. Now there is a town that knows how to do bonfire night......

 

You have just described exactly what I was getting at. When has bonfire night not been about that?

 

Granted some bonfire nights & shows will be better than others but surely they are all aiming for the same goal? A bit of family fun, a bit different from every other night/day of the year.

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I didn't go to a display this year but I do like them. I remember getting dressed up as a lad with 2 pairs of socks under my wellies, probably 2 jumpers etc etc. Happy memories!

 

According to my memory it did used to be colder on 5th November than it seems to be nowadays. I don't want to start a global warming debate in this thread, I just wondered if anyone else remembers it being colder on Guy Fawkes' night.

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I didn't go to a display this year but I do like them. I remember getting dressed up as a lad with 2 pairs of socks under my wellies, probably 2 jumpers etc etc. Happy memories!

 

According to my memory it did used to be colder on 5th November than it seems to be nowadays. I don't want to start a global warming debate in this thread, I just wondered if anyone else remembers it being colder on Guy Fawkes' night.

 

Until about a week ago I thought it was going to be a warm Bonfire Night! The temperature suddenly dropped last week. But yeah I remember that it used to be much colder, and I remember wearing all those layers! I also remember that it actually snowed around christmas once upon a time...

 

Oh, and I love bonfire night, it's got to be my favourite night, but I grew up a complete pryomaniac! :flame:

 

We were lucky and grew up on farmland so had lots of room to roam. Many a time my parents would come back and I'd get a grilling for playing with fire! :innocent:

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