Remember, Remember the 5th of November

Hurray, it’s Bonfire Night, and I’ll be going round to one of my best friend’s houses after dark for a bonfire and firework party. Like Halloween, despite its history and roots in ancient tradition, nowadays I suppose it’s yet another excuse for a catch-up with people we care about and a welcome opportunity to indulge in nice food and drinks. What will you be doing tonight?

Penistone, where I live, also has a great annual bonfire event with stalls and a disco set out across the vast fields. This is usually the first night of the year where I dig out my matching hat, scarf and mitten set, and enjoy the cosy sensation of snuggling among a crowd of people outdoors on a bitterly cold night. The highlight is usually the buttery jacket potato and melted cheese they serve in one of the tents, and of course the exciting firework display, which I adore.

As a secondary school teacher, I’ve taught my students about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot many years running now, so I feel I’m somewhat of an expert on the historical names, actions and places involved in this famous date. For me though, the colourful explosions we witness in the sky at this time of year are not really about that at all. As you can probably guess, I prefer daydreaming about the magical associations with all the sparkles. For me the loud bangs and the bright swirling patterns are mystical spells zooming out of a faery wizard’s wand!

The most fantastic firework displays I have ever seen here in the human world have to be those at the various Walt Disney theme parks. I’ve visited all of the Disney Lands on the planet, well into double figures now, and after dusk gathered around Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, is always the spectacle I look forward to the most. Obviously they have a far greater budget than most local cities, but their shows are just out of this world! The sprinkling of stars form Mickey Mouse heads in the air, and fountains of gunpowder frame 3-D extracts of the movies.

In Faery Land of course, the creation and sharing of fireworks is a specialised art form in its own right, and within Steeple Kingdom, the great Elder, Sir Rhodonite, is famous for his astounding ability which has been passed down through his family for generations. He can make fire breathing dragons and celestial winged unicorns morph out of nothing and then zoom across the heavens, spreading all the colours of the rainbow in their trail.

And there’s just something so romantic about watching fireworks with that someone special who you heart x 100. Arm in arm, looking up at the night sky, like Rosie Quartz and Moss Agate on the night of the Faery Fancy Dress Ball. I can’t think of anything I would rather do! Honest … not even shopping for shoes beats this. Have a great time everyone 🙂