Discover the tradition of Bonfire and Firework Night in Hastings, Manchester and Reading! Dive into our blog to know the best Bonfire Night events around our offices!
Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night and Firework Night, is a national tradition celebrated with large crowds gathering to watch a bonfire and firework display, typically on the 5th of November. The evening commemorates the failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 and assassinate King James I. Guy Fawkes was arrested, and later executed, for his part in the Gunpowder Plot, when he was found guarding the explosives beneath the House of Lords. The following year, people began to light bonfires to celebrate the survival of the king, a tradition that continues to this day.
Nowadays, Bonfire Night is celebrated in many towns across Britain throughout October and November, with some events being free and others charging for tickets or asking for donations, with the money going to charity. Several bonfire and fireworks shows will be taking place surrounding the offices here at UTP; Hastings, Manchester and Reading.
Hastings Bonfire
For those living in the seaside town of Hastings, a torchlit procession was carried out on the 14th of October, followed by a fireworks display. The display included drumming, effigy and a finale firework display on the beach, all of which was conducted by HBBS volunteers. For those who missed the Hastings Bonfire, other bonfires within East Sussex will be carried out throughout November, with the nearest to Hastings being the Battle Bonfire.
The Battle Bonfire will take place on the 5th of November, with all roads leading into Battle being shut during the early evening before the procession starts. The bonfire will be held at Abbey Green just a minute walk from Battle Abbey, with the firework show beginning a short while after. The event is free but donations can be taken by participants in the procession and go towards local charities.
Buile Hill Park Firework Display
In Manchester many displays are being cancelled due to escalating costs putting pressure on the council’s budget. Therefore, people are leaving the city centre to attend bonfire night celebrations in neighbouring towns. A short drive from Manchester city centre, Salford Buile Hill Park is holding a Firework night, with added fire performers, fun fair rides and food and drink vendors. Entry to this event is free.
The event starts late afternoon with a range of DJ’s and other live music playing continuously throughout the night. Buile Hill Park Firework Show caters for families, with a sparkler show earlier on the evening, which is ideal for those with younger children. The Firecracker Firework Display will follow an hour later, and the main fireworks display will be the last event of the evening.
A new addition to Buile Hill Park Firework Display is the installation of glowing sculptures, showcasing the life that grew back after the nuclear war, which can be visited in between firework displays and performers. Although there is no bonfire this year at Buile Hill, the firework display and other activities will ensure people of all ages are entertained.
Reading and Berkshire Bonfire Night
Although there are no bonfires directly in Reading, there are plenty in the surrounding Berkshire area. The majority are taking place on Saturday the 4th of November, and require purchasing a ticket.
Ascot holds one of the regions largest firework displays, which will see over 20,000 fireworks being launched into the centre of the racecourse. Ascot offers two variants of tickets, one for people who wish to spend the whole day at the event or tickets for those who only wish to experience the firework show. For those wanting to spend the whole day at Ascot, the ‘Ascot Firework Spectacular Family Raceday‘ features multiple races, a Monster Disco and other activities for the whole family to enjoy! All the money raised on this day will be donated to local charities.
For those not wanting to spend as much but still see an amazing firework display, Wokingham is holding a firework night. The night will include a funfair, torchlight processing and a firework display on Cantley Field. All proceeds from this event will go to local charities, and they have a total of reaching £25,000 every year.
Bonfire night is a lovely time for friends and family to get together, whether celebrating at an event or in the comfort of your home. If you do plan on going to the event, the majority donate money to local charities. Therefore, if you are able to, please donate! If you are unable to attend the Bonfire and Firework Nights, Hastings, Manchester and Reading offer lots of other hidden gems to be explored!
