Bonfire Night

[renegadefm]

Not sure if its just me, but does society celebrate Bonfire night like we used to?

 

I remember as a kid growing up in the 70's bonfire night was a huge deal, people would be having bonfires and letting off fireworks all evening. 

In fact my neighbour at the time would have a big party outside. 

I don't really see any of that going on these days. 

Is the tradition dying off?

 

In my observation Halloween seems to get bigger each year, and Bonfire night is dying off. 

 

What would the reason be, assuming my observation is correct. 

[Barsel]

I sometimes wonder if the ones who don't want to ban fireworks, live in quiet areas and not places like Gorton and Salford.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/explosions-heard-car-full-fireworks-30305923#source=breaking-news

 

[renegadefm]

Barsel, 

I live in rural area in Cornwall, so I think banning fireworks completely would ruin it for others. 

We need to strike a balance, and to me thats raising the age to 30 or even 40 to legally buy them. 

[pastafreak]

And how do you think that would be enforced? I'd say there's plenty of immature 40+ year olds setting them off. Plus...you don't seem to understand the negative effect the sheer noise has...not just on pets, but also on people. Ever hear of PTSD?

[DDIL]

renegadefm, you claim to have grown up on a farm, was it a livestock farm?

To be honest I wouldn't trust most of the 30 years olds any more than I would 18 year olds!

Fireworks are a danger to farm animals and domestic animals, there have been reports of farm animals being scared to death.  That is not acceptable.

[renegadefm]

I think the main thing is when I was child of the 70's, people only let fireworks off on bonfire night. 

Not days before and days after. 

People who didn't like fireworks knew it was only one night, so could be a bit prepared. 

 

[davebro3]

There are many old traditions that are gradually dying out. I'm sure the authorities would be overjoyed if we all just stayed home & watched telly.

[Canary42]

How do the fireworkphobic cope with thunderstorms ????

[Barmaid]

I strongly believe that fireworks should only be available at organised displays (and by that, I do not mean family). When I was a child, there were plenty of organised displays to go to and I did not suffer from a lack of fireworks.

Age is absolutely no guarantee of common sense.  We live in a very rural area and 80% of the houses in our little hamlet are thatched.  Two years ago at Christmas, we were all very alarmed to hear fireworks being let off.  Turns out it was the new BF (in his 30s) of a daughter of a resident who wanted to surprise his GF and her parents.  Her father was absolutely mortified.  Meanwhile, the horses in the paddock behind the garden went nuts.  What an absolute tool.  I am not sure of the thinking processes behind "I'll let off a load of fireworks, in a rural area surrounded by animals with mainly thatched houses and not warn anyone" but that just demonstrates why they should not be sold to the public!

[Canary42]

Yes Barmaid, that's a good point, the decline in general common sense since my boyhood years is significant.

[pastafreak]

Canary @14:54...animals or people? I had a lurcher that became a shivering, drooling, panting wreck...whether it was fireworks or thunderstorms. With the latter, she went into panic mode well before I heard anything. As humans we can rationalise what we hear and feel...our furry friends can't.

[DDIL]

Canary if you are talking about animals, I have to drug my dog with quick acting sedative for fireworks and thunderstorms.

[Barmaid]

No, I agree Pasta.  When I lived in a city and had 5 cats it was an absolute nightmare for about 10 days in late October/early November with random private displays going off from anytime from about 5pm until midnight.  The deaf/blind cat was OK, as was my boy ASBO, but the others were all terrified (one to the extent she would soil herself).  It was curtains closed and lots of TV's/radios on, plus keeping them in and constantly checking them.  They were never bothered about thunderstorms though.

At least when events are advertised, people with animals can take precautions since they know what to expect and when.

[Barmaid]

This weekend, I knew there was a large display taking place only a couple of miles as the crow flies and with the wind in the right direction it can sound as if it is next door.  Because I knew about this, I kept my girls in, close to me, curtains closed and TV on and they did not even stir.

Round here, generally people are very good about notifying others about things that might alarm or upset others and their animals so for that I am thankful.

[renegadefm]

I remember at school being taught the catchphrase (Remember remember the 5th of November)

Its as if we we're not allowed to forget Guy Fawkes night. Not quite sure why that is or was. 

[Barsel]

renegadefm, I don't understand either, and I don't understand why it has become more intense over the years.

My version has always been.

“Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and Barsels birthday. 😀

 

[renegadefm]

Barsel, 

Haha ☺️ I like that.

Do you think its more intense? My perception is less people seem to celebrate the event around here as they did when I was a child.

Less families seem to do personal ones in their back gardens. 

[Barsel]

Well, the fireworks are more intense. I remember when fireworks used to be called a damp squib, but the ones these days are gorgeous, but very loud.

[renegadefm]

Barsel, 

That's odd because my observation is fireworks are less loud, as they now make quiet ones. And  dont think its as popular as in the 70's early 80's.