E
Elizabeth Redmond
Guest
Oh i remember them brilliant
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Guy Fawkes Night.....Memories
- Thread starter davpen
- Start date
W
Wendy
Guest
Here is a great photo I have just scanned from a negative. My brothers used to build a big bonfire with their friends opposite our house in Blackberry Lane, Four Oaks. The neighbours and family would come and Mom would cook all day for it. The other interesting thing in the photo is the background with open fields now all houses.
paul stacey
master brummie
What year was it Wendy??, it looks about 1957/8.
paul
paul
Interesting photo Wendy. Like you say, you had fields around, so lots of wood for the bonfire. Looks good too with a lot of thin dry wood to get a good fire going. Our bonfires in more built up areas would be built with parts of rotting old fences, boxes scrounged from local shopkeepers, old furniture, in fact anything that would burn. A good fire, a box of fireworks (loved Roman Candles) and a few potatoes baked in the fire, well, what more could you possibly want? Viv.
oldMohawk
gone but not forgotten
Nice photo Wendy, looks like a lot of bushes from around the area made up that bonfire. I seem to remember from the 40s and 50s that the bonfire was the main feature, the few fireworks we had didn't last long especially one night when a spark got into the cardboard box and they all went off in one go. Neighbours gathered round the fire, chatting, mugs of tea, sarnies, and always blackened smoky baked potatoes if you could find them in the fire.
oldmohawk
oldmohawk
This thread reminded me of the bonfires and fun we used to have in the back to backs around the city.
My parents were publicans - and on 5th November each year, the piano would be wheeled out of the pub bar to form the base of a bonfire in the yard next door. All sorts of bits of wood were added and the locals would pack in the yard to watch it go up whilst eating charcoaled potatoes and sharing a jug of ale etc. Health and safety would never tolerate that today!! Then Dad would trot round to the second hand shop the next day and a new (old) piano would become the entertainment focus for the next year until the following Guy Fawkes night!!
I wonder if anyone from Edward Street remembers my Mum's faggots and peas (at the Ivy Green public house)? There used to be a great long queue of people each carrying their own bowls to the outdoor hatch. She was quite a pioneer in pub catering then - and still will not give up the recipe!
Dawn
My parents were publicans - and on 5th November each year, the piano would be wheeled out of the pub bar to form the base of a bonfire in the yard next door. All sorts of bits of wood were added and the locals would pack in the yard to watch it go up whilst eating charcoaled potatoes and sharing a jug of ale etc. Health and safety would never tolerate that today!! Then Dad would trot round to the second hand shop the next day and a new (old) piano would become the entertainment focus for the next year until the following Guy Fawkes night!!
I wonder if anyone from Edward Street remembers my Mum's faggots and peas (at the Ivy Green public house)? There used to be a great long queue of people each carrying their own bowls to the outdoor hatch. She was quite a pioneer in pub catering then - and still will not give up the recipe!
Dawn
W
Wendy
Guest
I am not sure of the date of the photo but may be 59/60. The reason there are so many branches the local council workers would drop off all the tree and bush cuttings, not sure why maybe my brother can explain. Lovely times no one messed with the bonfire before the night.
Great memories all. That's right, we didn't get lots of fireworks, just a few. The bonfire was the magical part, staring into the red/orange flames. I once got burnt by a rocket. One of the shower of sparks landed on my hand. So not a great fan of fireworks. And yes the spuds would be burnt but the insides.... mmmmm ... yum. I still like the smell of bonfires in the cold wintery air, even today. Suppose it's the primeval in us all! Viv.
W
Wendy
Guest
Thanks John I never knew the name of the farmer that is so interesting. I loved playing in his fields. I am so glad the negative has bought so many memories flooding back. I remember those bonfires with such pride as my big brothers built it!
After the VE and VJ firework/ bonfire displays, things weren't quite so spectacular in the mid to late 40's with our meagre budget, but we did enjoy all the build up so well recalled in other entrys here. Memories--the cutting down of small trees in a local lane ( don't tell anyone ), the calling round the neighbours for combustible junk, our home made 'guy'--when mom would crack her annual joke--by telling the oldman to keep moving about incase he was taken for the guy etc. AND our massive ( not) collection of penny fireworks. One boy told us his dad a spent the enormouse sum of £1 on fireworks--were we envious?--yep! I must mention a special firework we had in 1950--it was made in the image of a fighter aicraft, that you launched from a gate post--it flew right down the length of our garden. Never seen one since.--golightly.
HI ALL
This brings back happy memories. At the end of 40s or maybe the early 50s,its a long time ago,my cousin worked at Wilders fireworks in Greet.
In the months building up to Nov5th her mom ,and my gran used to do outwork for Wilders at her house in Ombersley rd Sparkbrook.
Wilders used to deliver teachests full of unlabled fireworks to the house. There job was to cover the fireworks with the lables. They did this on a
table in the front room in front of a roaring fire.At the end of the night they shook the cloth and all the residue on to the open fire.
No health and saftey in those days. All the fireworks that did not have the lable on right ended up in a large suitcase in our house in
Formans rd Iwas always a very popular kid on bonfire night. Mom also shared a lot of them with my friends, i seemed to have a lot of friends
around Nov 5th.
KEN
This brings back happy memories. At the end of 40s or maybe the early 50s,its a long time ago,my cousin worked at Wilders fireworks in Greet.
In the months building up to Nov5th her mom ,and my gran used to do outwork for Wilders at her house in Ombersley rd Sparkbrook.
Wilders used to deliver teachests full of unlabled fireworks to the house. There job was to cover the fireworks with the lables. They did this on a
table in the front room in front of a roaring fire.At the end of the night they shook the cloth and all the residue on to the open fire.
No health and saftey in those days. All the fireworks that did not have the lable on right ended up in a large suitcase in our house in
Formans rd Iwas always a very popular kid on bonfire night. Mom also shared a lot of them with my friends, i seemed to have a lot of friends
around Nov 5th.
KEN
Oisin
gone but not forgotten
I should think it was dangerous enough working on fireworks in Sparkbrook without having them in front of an open fire
.
...and where's me smilies gorn?
...and where's me smilies gorn?
HI OISIN
I Would just like to say that i was trying to think of there name this morning and i just could recall there name
as it was wilders and in the fortys and fifties wilders was the best fire works around especialy for there bangers at a penny each
and we reckon we had the biggest bon fire on lichfield rd aston ; the competion on the stret was between us and the sargegents family
and another family down the gully on lichfield rd we would look up to the skies and see the flames
we was in cromwell terace they was in the gully of lichfield rd next to harold lloyed the cobblers the emediate terace was robbinsons the fuit and veg betwen robbos and diggers news agents we had twenty houses up our terrace and all brought out there rubbish and arm chairs we burt all night at least
15 feet high and about six foot wide and mother kept us in hot spuds and chest nuts exployed as well for all the parents and kids of the terrace
and of course wilders fire works those was the days ; best wishes Astonian;;
I Would just like to say that i was trying to think of there name this morning and i just could recall there name
as it was wilders and in the fortys and fifties wilders was the best fire works around especialy for there bangers at a penny each
and we reckon we had the biggest bon fire on lichfield rd aston ; the competion on the stret was between us and the sargegents family
and another family down the gully on lichfield rd we would look up to the skies and see the flames
we was in cromwell terace they was in the gully of lichfield rd next to harold lloyed the cobblers the emediate terace was robbinsons the fuit and veg betwen robbos and diggers news agents we had twenty houses up our terrace and all brought out there rubbish and arm chairs we burt all night at least
15 feet high and about six foot wide and mother kept us in hot spuds and chest nuts exployed as well for all the parents and kids of the terrace
and of course wilders fire works those was the days ; best wishes Astonian;;
Oisin
gone but not forgotten
Yeah, Bonfire Night was a big event round our way too. The Burns family, Irish Catholics, over the road from us had a bigger bonfire but over at our house my brother gave a firework display on top of the outside loo roof - a flat slab of concrete - which always drew a crowd. One of his favourite tricks was to stick two or three of those penny bangers you mention under the dustbin lid and blow it into the air. That always brought a cheer and a round of applause.
Can you remember the days before the event when kids would raid each others stashes of material to burn? You'd wait till they'd gone round collecting it in a barra then go round with your own and nick it.
Can you remember the days before the event when kids would raid each others stashes of material to burn? You'd wait till they'd gone round collecting it in a barra then go round with your own and nick it.
bonfire night was a family night in our yard in aberdeen street us kids gathered all the wood spicers fruit shop was great for giving us the boxes all the dads in the yard was in charge of the fire and fireworks and the moms all made jacket potatoes and toffee apples
the next morning the yard was washed down by the moms think all the dads was suffering from hangover
they were great days then in the fifties josie
the next morning the yard was washed down by the moms think all the dads was suffering from hangover
they were great days then in the fifties josie
anvil man
master brummie
A bonfire memory of just 24hrs!! Last evening I went to a bonfire and firework celebration locally. The organisers had wonderful imagination and came up with this realistic structure of Parliament building. It was about 40/50yds long faced with cheap hardboard on top of pallets and painted with left over white emulsion. It was a captivating spectacle witnessed by a couple of thousand people who watched it burn to a cinder.
Oisin
gone but not forgotten
#...Try to remember the fifth of November/ Gunpowder, treason and plot...#
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
Here is the whole poem. We used to say just the first verse mostly. [TABLE="align: left"]
[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD="align: left"] [SIZE=+1]English Folk Verse (c.1870)[/SIZE] The Fifth of November
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Seems that there are also several versions.
[TR]
[TD]
| [SIZE=-1] [/SIZE][SIZE=-1] [/SIZE] |
[TD="align: left"] [SIZE=+1]English Folk Verse (c.1870)[/SIZE] The Fifth of November
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Seems that there are also several versions.
Last edited:
jennyann
Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
I liked this article today from the Birmingham Mail about how we used to celebrate Guy Fawkes Night in Birmingham in years gone by. There
are some great photos in the Gallery: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/bonfire-night-birmingham-how-used-8061930
are some great photos in the Gallery: https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/bonfire-night-birmingham-how-used-8061930
paul stacey
master brummie
I walked around my village last night in the crisp cold air, after 40 min's walking, I had not seen one rocket or heard one banger, so different to 31st of October "Halloween", another American import, hundreds of kids . all dressed up and made up, walking talking calling out, 5th November , absolutely dead. How things have changed from my childhood in Brum, whole area full of kids, huge fires, penny for the guy, we planned it for weeks, local moms, made baked potatoes, and sausages. Of course most did not even have telly's in the 50's, let alone mobiles and X boxes , in fact most of us had nothing, not even a bike. They really have destroyed our culture and history in ENGLAND. Paul
oldbrit
OldBrit in Exile
I agree Halloween is nothing but a waste of time and money. The LAST thing kids need is more CANDY (SWEETS) Some of the so called costumes are lousy. 5th Nov in Brum was something to look forward to. Hot on the front cold on the back, Fun Fun Fun days. On the news in Denver,Colorado a bunch of thugs defaced the Colorado Capital building, Something about Guy Fawkes day protest? In Denver Colorado USA???? John GRUMP Paker. Colorado USA
rosie
brummie
My brother used to buy masks for the Guy (from Woolworths? ) They were made of the same sort of cardboard as eggbox trays and were red or orange.
Our neighbours had fireworks last night and some were landing on our flat roof! The squirrel didn't know what to make of the cardboard tubes which landed on the lawn either.
Dad used to put rockets in a milk bottle (pointed away from the house for safety) and there were Jumping Jacks which we put under the dustbin lid! There was always a bucket for "dead" sparklers.
We didn't have many fireworks but it was fun and my Grandparents came round too.
rosie.
Our neighbours had fireworks last night and some were landing on our flat roof! The squirrel didn't know what to make of the cardboard tubes which landed on the lawn either.
Dad used to put rockets in a milk bottle (pointed away from the house for safety) and there were Jumping Jacks which we put under the dustbin lid! There was always a bucket for "dead" sparklers.
We didn't have many fireworks but it was fun and my Grandparents came round too.
rosie.
paul stacey
master brummie
Yes Rosie, it was a full community occasion . Paul
norfolk brummie
gone but not forgotten
Over the years I have spent a great deal of time in the States, and on my visits I witnessed the growth of Halloween. WalMart and other such stores heavily promoted Halloween into a commercially profitable business venture. I fear that the same thing has happened in the UK. Bonfire Night, Halloween, Christmas, Easter. Every occasion is now just an excuse for a moneymaking, binge buying, dress up, drink up business venture.
The credit cards take a pounding, and then comes the difficulty of paying.
Not much of the real spirit of these once lovable times remain. I am not a kill joy, or a Scrooge.
I loved Christmas. The pillow case, a couple of toys, oranges and a few shiny brand new pennies. It was wonderful. If we did not have the money, we could not spend it, but it never mattered.
Bonfire Night was wrapped up warm, around a small fire, sparklers, candles, a couple of rockets, and then back into the house for baked potatoes, chestnuts and 'pop'. Those days were magical, and have always been lovingly remembered..
Today, everything comes too fast, too expensive, and not really appreciated. Our own children never made a great thing of Halloween,
were taught to enjoy Christmas, Easter, and their real meaning. We still a very good times.
Of course, enjoy yourself, but appreciate the occasion, and spend money prudently. Eddie.
The credit cards take a pounding, and then comes the difficulty of paying.
Not much of the real spirit of these once lovable times remain. I am not a kill joy, or a Scrooge.
I loved Christmas. The pillow case, a couple of toys, oranges and a few shiny brand new pennies. It was wonderful. If we did not have the money, we could not spend it, but it never mattered.
Bonfire Night was wrapped up warm, around a small fire, sparklers, candles, a couple of rockets, and then back into the house for baked potatoes, chestnuts and 'pop'. Those days were magical, and have always been lovingly remembered..
Today, everything comes too fast, too expensive, and not really appreciated. Our own children never made a great thing of Halloween,
were taught to enjoy Christmas, Easter, and their real meaning. We still a very good times.
Of course, enjoy yourself, but appreciate the occasion, and spend money prudently. Eddie.
rosie
brummie
I've just remembered we had some Indoor Fireworks! There was a little tablet like an aspirin which made a snowstorm when put on a saucer and lit, also a green snake appeared from a small lump of grey stuff. Some special paper was folded like a tiny fan and that formed a Christmas tree shape when lit very much like the ash left from a gas mantle. Also a tiny plastic monkey with a cigarette which puffed!!! It was all packed in a little house-shaped box. Not forgetting Bengal matches!.
rosie.
rosie.