Firefighters attacked on Bonfire Night as crews take 1,000 calls in Scotland

[Nearly Sane]

Deeply depressing nonsense

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wr182e5pko

[ProfessorDavey]

Deeply depressing nonsense

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wr182e5pko

Not sure of this is the case elsewhere in the country, but where I am there has definitely been a shift away from the traditional 5th Nov fireworks. I know this has often moved to the nearest weekend, but round here the move has been much more significant - we went to an event on 25th Oct. Seems more to be a firework 'season' with less emphasis on 5th Nov/Guy Fawkes and more focus on other festivals, not least Diwali. Seems to be a broadening of its appeal.

[jeremyp]

There were a lot of fireworks here in Bristol last night.

I agree that we seem to be having a season instead, which I think is regrettable. Instead of one night of misery for pets there seems to be about two weeks instead.

[Nearly Sane]

There were a lot of fireworks here in Bristol last night.

I agree that we seem to be having a season instead, which I think is regrettable. Instead of one night of misery for pets there seems to be about two weeks instead.

Yes, I'm unconvinced that the extended use is all about the 'broadening of its appeal', and not entirely sure what it had to do with the story in the OP.

[jeremyp]

Yes, I'm unconvinced that the extended use is all about the 'broadening of its appeal', and not entirely sure what it had to do with the story in the OP.

I first noticed it years ago when living in Reading. It seemed to stretch from Halloween to the weekend after November 5th. I think people just wanted an excuse for loud bangs and explosions.

[ProfessorDavey]

Yes, I'm unconvinced that the extended use is all about the 'broadening of its appeal',

I think the broadening of appeal is through moving from a position (which was the case when I was a kid) where Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night was associated with a specific historical event, which also had anti-Catholic connotations. Rather than being about that rather narrow event it seems to have been broadened in its cultural references to include Diwali and a more general seasonal celebration with Fireworks at a time of year where it suddenly seems really dark, really early.

I don't see that as a bad thing - our cultural references often evolve and change. And there are plenty of people who like fireworks, but who are either unaware or uncomfortable with the historical references to Guy Fawkes. We certainly seem to have comfortably ditched the notion of burning effigies of Fawkes.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-trouble-with-guy-fawkes-night/

[ProfessorDavey]

I first noticed it years ago when living in Reading. It seemed to stretch from Halloween to the weekend after November 5th. I think people just wanted an excuse for loud bangs and explosions.

I think there is also a link with school half term. I think the organisers of major fireworks displays want to avoid half term as many people are away. And also, certainly round here, it is now really common for schools to put on a pretty major display themselves as a big fundraiser. That's why one of the events I attended (organised on behalf of three schools) was on 25th Oct - the Friday before half term. The next non-half term weekend evening is this coming Friday - 8th Nov, which seems a little after the event (particularly as Halloween also seems to be part of the Autumn festivities mix). But another local school will be having their very longstanding event that night.