Bonfire night and its origins date back to The Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Parliament, predominantly protestant, persuaded King James I to introduce new laws which marginalised practising Roman Catholics. This upset many Catholics, and in 1604, a band of Catholics decided to do something about it. They hoped to overthrow protestant rule and desired a King who was much more lenient to Catholics. A catholic man by the name of Robert Catesby masterminded the plot. His goal was to blow up Parliament on the day it opened with the King and all the MPs present.
Catesby and his friends John Wright, Thomas Winter and Thomas Percy decided they needed an explosives expert, where they turned to the now infamous Guy Fawkes. Through their tricky plan, they planted up to 36 barrels of gunpowder under Parliament, but on November 5th, 1605, the King ordered a search of the cellar due to an anonymous letter received by Lord Monteagle (a Catholic MP), which stated he should not be in attendance for the opening of Parliament as “they shall receive a terrible blow”, this letter was reported back to one of the king’s ministers.
During the search, they discovered gunpowder and lots of wood in the cellar of the House of Lords and arrested a man named “Johnson”, who claimed to be a cellar manager. After a torture session in the Tower of London, the man identified himself as Guy Fawkes.
The rest of the plotters escaped and hid in a house in the Midlands, where soldiers eventually discovered and surrounded them. Catesby and Percy were killed, and the rest were sentenced to death for high treason alongside Guy Fawkes.
In early 1606, an act was passed that declared November 5th shall be recognised as a day of thanksgiving in celebration of the fact that King James I was still alive. By the mid 18th Century, the Act was repealed because of its anti-Catholic sentiment and bonfire night celebrations on 5th November have evolved to be an enjoyable social event.
However, Parliament still to this day is checked for any new potential plots or threats on the 5th of November.
Remember, remember the fifth of November…
Yes, it is reported that every year, in the UK, over 300 people suffer serious eye injuries as a result of accidents involving fireworks, and around ten of them lose their sight. Fireworks can cause permanent eye damage by rupturing the eyeball or causing chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment. Young men are also more prone to these accidents, sustaining about 70 percent of fireworks-related injuries.
Reconsider the sparklers and bottle rockets: The most common fireworks eye injury culprit might be surprising. The same U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report suggests that sparklers, bottle rockets, and other small fireworks caused the vast majority of fireworks eye injuries. From lacerations to severe burns, these seemingly innocuous fireworks can have serious consequences. They’re especially dangerous for kids under five, who might see the fireworks as a harmless plaything. In reality, sparklers can reach temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees — about as hot as a blowtorch.
Buy fireworks that meet British Standards – ensure you buy your fireworks from a reputable retailer and that they conform to British Standards, these will be marked BS 7114 on the box.
As well as this you can also follow the 12 tips issued by the Cheshire Fire and Rescue service:
Going to see a professional firework display is usually the safest and best way to enjoy fireworks. These displays are usually hosted by local councils and as well as providing a spectacular fireworks display, you can experience local street food and drink. These are perfect for families this weekend and usually aren’t expensive to go to, compared to buying and having a firework display at home, plus you have the added safety of trained professionals doing all the work for you.
If you’re interested in attending a local fireworks display this weekend, search online or on social media. We would recommend if you are in London checking out Ally Pally’s Firework Festival on Saturday 5h November.
Seek medical attention immediately. Do not rub or rinse the injured eye, or apply any ointments to the eye area. If you do, it could increase any damage and make it more difficult for a specialist to provide treatment. Some people may be naïve, but it is urgent and so important to seek urgent eye care for your injuries as the integrity of the eye may be damaged by a combination of blunt injury, thermal and chemical burn. Firework injuries can lead to eye surface infections and secondary loss of the eye and vision if not treated promptly by a specialist.
Telephone: 020 7935 7990
International Callers : +44 20 7935 7990