Kiera and Dan

Is this Guy Fawkes?

Nope, this is a free firework display on Southend seafront in Essex.

Most of the displays that actually have a bonfire cost to get into and half the time these days, due to political correctness, they don't have a Guy on the fire.

We like Southend's ones which they do every Saturday from the end of August and we can have a bonfire in the back garden for fun :)

I never liked the idea of burning someone who tried to blow up the houses of parliament, he should be canonised! I like the idea of the thing they do in Lewes where they burn effigies of whoever's most unpopular at the time!

I'd forgotten about the Lewes one. It does seem a fun idea though, but who gets to choose the effigy, is there a vote in the town?

this is really complicated. at least for a non uk person. you mean they CHARGE money to see a bonfire? and you can have a bonfire in your backyard? sheesh. nothing is allowed to be burned outside here. ever. and I do like a nice fire.

We frequently have bonfires in our back garden, they are a source of merriment for our neighbours as to how big the flames will be!!

Local councils usually put on a bonfire and fireworks in public parks, but they do charge an entry fee, I think mostly to cover the costs of marshalling the event and to go towards the cost of the fireworks for the following year.

you can have a fire in your backyard, but there are laws governing when you can do it.
Your neighbourhood could NOT have a bonfire on common ground, but the council, or the fire brigade, or anyone who can afford the insurance, can set up a bonfire anywhere and charge you to see it. You tend to pay for the firework display, the bonfire is sadly just an added extra.

whether or not it is a public fire or one in your own backyard is something really foreign to me. In Toronto, burning of anything is considered pollution, so it just doesn't happen. Only fire I get to make outside is up north in the bush, and those are great. Marshmallows. Just a different take on things.

great shots

think the fire thing is something that needs looking at environmentally - not been allowed to have coal fires in city homes for years - smokeless fuel only but in the country we can burn anything on our fires

thinking about it all the other day and realised the reason that Halloween hasn't ever been as big over here is probably because of bonfire night - everyone used to have a bonfire to go to, a neighbours or a local community one and up to about 15 years ago they were free and people brought their own fireworks - now health and safety laws and therefore insurance mean that most bonfires are big events which is a shame - I loved our village bonfire and the street fires of my youth!

Totally agree Viv. It used to be a big occasion, so there'd be not much point in trick or treating, most people would be at the bonfire. Now, it all costs money and the health & safety nazis have invaded people's fun. The fireworks are big and spectaular, but I used to have just as much fun wiggling a sparkler in the back garden :)

and being chased by ric-racs - bet your too young to remember them - a concertina - inteded to be lit on the ground and changed direction on each fold!

Wow, you've got me there Viv. I don't remember them. Were they anything like Chinese firecrackers?