[caption id="attachment_4300" align="alignright" width="230"] Bonfire Night image © Lewis Clarke and licensed for reuse under this CC Licence[/caption]
Bonfire Night is just around the corner and I thought it would be interesting to remind myself about the origins of this event.
Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is an annual reminder of events that took place on 5th November 1605. Guy Fawkes was a member of the Gunpowder Plot, which was intended to blow up the House of Lords and assassinate the Protestant king to replace him with a Catholic one. Fawkes was arrested while guarding explosives. The plot was averted and King James I survived the attempt to kill him. Following these events, the day was marked as a day of thanksgiving and people continued to light bonfires to celebrate the fact that the king had survived.
Every year people continued to light fires to celebrate the prevention of the assassination. As time has gone on, people are less aware of the origins and just enjoy the celebration. The addition of fireworks is a more recent extension to the celebration replicating the explosions that never did occur that evening. Fireworks manufacturers changed the name of the event to Fireworks Night during the 20th century. In recent years there has been a reduction in the number of organised bonfires and fireworks displays, partly due to increased health and safety requirements.
At Doorsan we are aware that some of our customers who are in the process of buying new doors for their homes will be saving their old damaged doors to burn on a bonfire. We understand that people are looking for combustible materials, but we are always a little bit sad to see an old door being disposed of in this way. If you are celebrating Bonfire Night this year then we hope you enjoy the event and make sure you stay safe.
Please note: if you are burning old doors then consider that the old paint or varnish used on them will probably be of a type which will give off toxic fumes, any painted items can also flare easily. Always stand well away from the fire any way but particularly with items that can be toxic and flare when they are burning, and remember, animals and children should be well away from Bonfires and Fireworks at all times.