Bring on the Bonfire

By Philippa Helawell

I didn’t come to York for the bonfires, but out of all university towns I would expect this one – home of gunpowder plotter Guy Fawkes – to throw a decent shindig on November 5th.

But York Council, in all their wisdom, seem intent upon ignoring the popular rhyme – Remember, Remember the fifth of November. For this Bonfire Night, as many before it, no civic firework or bonfire display is to take place in York city centre.

The last council-run Bonfire occurred in 2005 as a marker of the 400th anniversary of the notorious Gunpowder Plot. Prior to this, the previous organised events occurred in 1996 at Clifford’s Tower and in 1997 at York Racecourse.

Speaking to Vision, Gill Cooper, Head of Arts and Culture at York City Council, explained that ‘because of the escalating costs of insurance, stewarding and traffic management the council chose not to continue to fund this event.’

But is this really just any event? For York has a unique connection to the celebration as the city is the birthplace of the plot’s most famous conspirator, Guy Fawkes.

Indeed, the early life of Guy Fawkes is scattered around the very streets that we know and love. Born on Stonegate, years before Evil Eye and Little Betty’s set up camp there, and educated at St Peter’s School, Guy Fawkes has become one of the city’s most infamous sons. It is from his name the term ‘guy’ (to mean any male) ultimately derives.

Yet, York City Council fails to celebrate their own celebrity. London aside, you would expect York to have one of the largest bonfire festivals in the country. For Fawkes is a Yorkshire lad; to not celebrate his defining moment in history is to not sell Yorkshire Puddings in Yorkshire.

And let us not forget the economic factors in failing to celebrate the event. York is a tourist hotspot and by failing to put on a large-scale public display the city is missing a valuable opportunity to capitalise on its own past. Indeed, the lack of an official Bonfire Night event is the source of bemusement to many visitors.
Matthew, a guide at Exploring York, a popular tour guide company, commented that such an event ‘has the potential to be a big highlight on the calendar. York is known as the city of festivals. A big bonfire celebration would be ideal for the autumn when there’s nothing much going on.’

The only semi-major fireworks display to take place this year is the York Maze Fireworks Spectacular which is located considerably out of the centre towards Elvington, making it inconvenient for both visitors and residents to travel to.

However, the Chief Executive of Visit York, Gillian Cruddas, explained that as well as this ‘there are other opportunities such as tower top trips up the minster, Guy Fawkes walking tours and a bonfire night quiz at Bar Convent.’

But this is hardly sufficient for one of the country’s biggest national celebrations; one which traces special links back to York.

Besides, it is short-sighted to bypass the event on account of insurance and stewarding costs. The consequence of not hosting a large event is that many are left to their own devices on one of the most dangerous nights of the year.

More people will partake in garden bonfires and private firework displays with no stewards or trained professionals to ensure their safety. It is time for York – its people, its visitors and its council – to pay homage, if not to our most notorious former residents, but to our own history. But until that time, see you at the Bonfire Quiz.