Guy Fawkes Night originates from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed conspiracy of English Catholics to assassinate the Protestant King and replace him with a Catholic Head of State. The king was saved and the people decided to celebrate. Back then the lighting of bonfires was a means of celebration, so they began an annual celebration of what was later named the Gunpowder Treason Act of 1605, now called Guy Fawkes Night. Winchester's event is put on by the Winchester Round Table and it is one of the largest celebrations in the area. 20,000 people came to celebrate this year...it was a sight! The weather cooperated too...it was a lovely fall evening. So in between our yummy lasagna dinner (Sean was the chef!) and a glass of wine...we scooted over to the High Street to watch the torchlit procession...
Torchlit Procession down High Street...just out our front door. Everyone had their own torch and marched down the street led by the Winchester Fire Dept truck. Very cool, took you back in time to a quintessential old English town march.
The HUGE bonfire...supposedly one of the largest in the World! It was the height of a 2 story house! No marshmallow roasting here...ha.
To start off the fireworks the crowd shouted in unison "5...4...3...2...1" for a BBC recording that they replayed later for other cities celebrations.
Sean and his torch! We had a fun evening on the town!
Torchlit Procession down High Street...just out our front door. Everyone had their own torch and marched down the street led by the Winchester Fire Dept truck. Very cool, took you back in time to a quintessential old English town march.
The HUGE bonfire...supposedly one of the largest in the World! It was the height of a 2 story house! No marshmallow roasting here...ha.
To start off the fireworks the crowd shouted in unison "5...4...3...2...1" for a BBC recording that they replayed later for other cities celebrations.
Sean and his torch! We had a fun evening on the town!
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