"Remember remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.€ Anon
The sorry-old-tale of the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 has been well preserved in our British folklore. It is fun to find ourselves teaching our little ones the poem, and sharing how we celebrated this day when we were little - because each family has their own way to celebrate together, and we share these 'traditions' when we share our memories.
This celebration also gives us a wonderful reason for a family bonfire and the sparkles of fireworks that brighten the night sky. The perfect time for us to say together this wonderful poem:
Fireworks Night
Who is drawing pictures on the black night sky?
Swirls of red and yellow up so high, so high?
Noisy cracks and bangs make the babies cry.
Who is drawing pictures on the black night sky?
Julie Tonkin
The ritual of a 'celebration fire' actually stems back of course from pagan times the key moments of the year such as the transitional moments of spring and autumn were celebrated with a fire, and even now, most of us love the occasion of a bonfire flames can be so mesmerising and heartening to watch, and of course, making the bonfire is such a special act for the whole family to be a part of. A favourite song of ours to sing when we are making is bonfire is:
joy the bonfire, the sparks, the flames, dancing fire fairies, and of course, the being out late!! Then our parents would cook baked potatoes in the embers, wrapped in tin foil delicious!
Bonfires are a wonderful opportunity for little ones to €˜stay up late' - and this time with permission! To be out under the night sky is very special, able to gaze at the stars above, and enjoy the fire fairies amongst the flames of the fire.
And, of course, it doesn't have to be a large 
bonfire.
A small fire for your family of gnomes is perfect, especially if together you have been gathering 
treasures collected in your garden and on your autumn walks, which can be brought together to create a wonderful way to celebrate the end of Autumn; A Gnomes' bonfire party*!
To create a Gnomes' Bonfire Party €œprepare a small fire€¦ and allow it to establish a good bed of hot embers. 
Seat all the Autumn Garden gnomes comfortably at a suitable distance from the fire and then gather every pod, leaf, cone and other scrap from the Autumn Garden that the gnomes have not been able to use, and feed them into the fire one by one.
They will each burn in an individual way some with a bright flare, some with a crackle, some with a shower of golden sparks. (Chestnuts and acorns that have not been pierced with a knife may explode, so be sure the fire is guarded.) Take time to enjoy each €˜firework', but leave the pine cones until last if the conditions are right and they are undisturbed, they might turn to gold before your very eyes!€
And for the Gnomes?? Perhaps a feast as a r
eward for all their hard work...
...but be quick! It will soon be gone!
However you celebrate this night together, happy Bonfire Night!
*All Year Round: Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton, Marije Rowling ** Julie Tonkin, and Candy Verney adapted from a traditional song
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot.€ Anon
The sorry-old-tale of the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 has been well preserved in our British folklore. It is fun to find ourselves teaching our little ones the poem, and sharing how we celebrated this day when we were little - because each family has their own way to celebrate together, and we share these 'traditions' when we share our memories.
This celebration also gives us a wonderful reason for a family bonfire and the sparkles of fireworks that brighten the night sky. The perfect time for us to say together this wonderful poem:
Fireworks Night
Who is drawing pictures on the black night sky?
Swirls of red and yellow up so high, so high?
Noisy cracks and bangs make the babies cry.
Who is drawing pictures on the black night sky?
Julie Tonkin
The ritual of a 'celebration fire' actually stems back of course from pagan times the key moments of the year such as the transitional moments of spring and autumn were celebrated with a fire, and even now, most of us love the occasion of a bonfire flames can be so mesmerising and heartening to watch, and of course, making the bonfire is such a special act for the whole family to be a part of. A favourite song of ours to sing when we are making is bonfire is:
Heave and heave-ho**
Dray the branches to the heap, To the heap, to the heap. Drag the branches to the heap, Heave and heave-ho.
Pile them high and stack them steep, Stack them steep, stack them steep. Pile them high and stack them steep, Heave and heave-ho.
Pack the spaces strong and firm, Strong and firm, strong and firm. Pack the spaces strong and firm, Heave and heave-ho.
Stand well back, it's time to burn, Time to burn, time to burn. Stand well back, it's time to burn, Heave and heave-ho.
When we were little, in our family, we would enjoy the bonfire, the sparks, the flames, dancing fire fairies, and of course, the being out late!! Then our parents would cook baked potatoes in the embers, wrapped in tin foil delicious!
Bonfires are a wonderful opportunity for little ones to €˜stay up late' - and this time with permission! To be out under the night sky is very special, able to gaze at the stars above, and enjoy the fire fairies amongst the flames of the fire.
And, of course, it doesn't have to be a large bonfire.
A small fire for your family of gnomes is perfect, especially if together you have been gathering treasures collected in your garden and on your autumn walks, which can be brought together to create a wonderful way to celebrate the end of Autumn; A Gnomes' bonfire party*!
To create a Gnomes' Bonfire Party €œprepare a small fire€¦ and allow it to establish a good bed of hot embers.
Seat all the Autumn Garden gnomes comfortably at a suitable distance from the fire and then gather every pod, leaf, cone and other scrap from the Autumn Garden that the gnomes have not been able to use, and feed them into the fire one by one.
They will each burn in an individual way some with a bright flare, some with a crackle, some with a shower of golden sparks. (Chestnuts and acorns that have not been pierced with a knife may explode, so be sure the fire is guarded.) Take time to enjoy each €˜firework', but leave the pine cones until last if the conditions are right and they are undisturbed, they might turn to gold before your very eyes!€
And for the Gnomes?? Perhaps a feast as a reward for all their hard work...
...but be quick! It will soon be gone!
However you celebrate this night together, happy Bonfire Night!
*All Year Round: Ann Druitt, Christine Fynes-Clinton, Marije Rowling ** Julie Tonkin, and Candy Verney adapted from a traditional song