Bonfire weekend

On Friday the 5th of November, it was bonfire night. Last year I wrote a blog about the history of Guy Fawkes which you can find here. As I am now at university, my weekend has been very different compared to if I was at home.

Friday 5th November:

Tori, George and I went firework hunting around the posh, upper class area around my university. We saw a few fireworks in the sky but we were more exploring the local area before stopping at Morrisons to buy Parkin cake to have with custard. On our way back to my accommodation, we saw a dinosaur outside the Botanical Gardens. Later that evening, we watched Paul the movie (about an alien who wants to return home) and played with George’s NES gaming system.

Saturday 6th November:

Tori and I were going to go find some sparklers however, xe did not wake up in time – so we did not buy any. In the evening, we headed towards Edgbaston Cricket Ground to watch the fireworks. We stood in a nearby field, with torches I bought with me. The fireworks were very beautiful and after the display, we headed back to my flat. We played Solitaire, Blackjack, ate food (inc. churros) and watched a horror movie (called Hereditary – a psychological horror) on a projector.

Sunday 7th November:

I caught up on some work and completed some assignments. I also did some meal preparation as well as cleaning the flat. In the late afternoon, I went on a short walk (but saw no fireworks).

BLOGMAS – last day of 2020 school

Yesterday was the last day of school for me this year and after some reflection, I realise it was very strange and chaotic. The year started off well working upon my Extended Project Qualification and applying for head student however, soon it took a strange turn. I was not offered a head student role but instead was offered the Centenary position. I flew out to Poland for a day with the Holocaust Education Trust to visit Auschwitz and continued Sixth Form usually until March the 20th when everything changed. Suddenly it was online school, copying from a textbook whilst revising for my year 12 mocks.

During England’s first national lockdown, we were not in school instead completing our school work at home (and sometimes completing an online lesson). We completed our year 12 mock examinations at home. Over June and July, I was able to attend school twice which I blogged about here and here. Then it was the summer holidays before returning back face to face in September, this raised many concerns for me and so I wrote to my school expressing my view.

I survived the first half term and then the second half term where I submitted my UCAS application and applied to American universities abroad. I wrote to my MP and was filmed for the schools Christmas concert. Yesterday was a half day at school so we had virtual events within our form groups. This included completing a virtual Christmas quiz, watching a virtual assembly and watching houses got talent (which my house won!). Overall the day went very quickly and it was a good way to end the strange year. I am now waiting to see what the New Year has in store for school.

remember remember the 5th of November …

It’s that time of the year again when we “remember remember the 5th of November. Gun powder, treason and plot.”. This year Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire night is being celebrated in the UK very differently (especially as England has gone back into a national lock down for 4 weeks).

So for any non British citizens, you may be wondering what Bonfire night is all about and it all starts with the Gun Powder Plot.

On the 5th of November 1605, the Gun Powder conspirators had planned to blow up parliament on the day of state opening where the King would be in attendance. There plan was to kill all members of parliament and the King in order to re-establish Catholic rule in England. The conspirators were betrayed and hence caught the night before there plan. Guy Fawkes was found in a cellar where the explosives were being stored. Eventually all conspirators were caught and either were killed or captured and trialled. Parliament announced that on November the 5th from 1606, a national day of thanksgiving should be held.

Usually we would celebrate Bonfire night by watching a firework display or attending a Bonfire. Some people will create a straw “Guy” which will be placed on the bonfire in the evening. Throughout the day, they will take the “Guy” around asking passerby’s for “a penny for the Guy”.

My Bonfire night tradition is that we usually eat burgers and/or sausages with chips. Supposedly, guards working at the houses of parliament hosts a search on the 5th of November to check for explosives and potential arsonists.

Do you have any Bonfire night traditions or any similar events let me know in the comments!