Not Halloween for me but Guy Fawkes!
By cynthiann
@cynthiann (18602)
Jamaica
October 31, 2008 11:22am CST
Guy Fawkes was a man who tried to blow up the HOuses of Parliamnet in the 16th century - and failed. As a child we would make an effigy of a man; stuff an old pair of pants with newspaper etc and then wheel him through the shopping areas literally begging for money sayiong "please to remember the 5th of November, gunpowder treason and plot. People would give us money which would then be spent of fireworks. We would then build a bonfire and put poor olf Guy on the top and burn him! I loved the potatoes that we roasted in the ashes.
I never knew about Halloween until grown up and ready to leave the U.K. after getting married. It is now very popular in th U.K. and is celebrated. I don;t know if old Guy Fawkes is being celebrated.Have a great Friday.
1 response
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Oct 08
Hi ShelyB,
In my childhood there were not the restrictions on buying fireworks that there are today. Yes, there were a few accidents and some minor burns that we hid from our parents. But it was genuine fun for kids to do. We loved it - especially wondering if we could get enough money to buy rocket fireworks. and yes, we also let off banger fireworks behind people to frighten them! Just kids. I especialy remember the cold as we were allowed to stay out late that night. Vendetta ? You are so right. But we didn't see it that way as children. In the countryside, whole villages would celebrate on the village green and the fireworks would be really massive.
