Set Guy Fawkes Night Alight

I hope that there's a decent Bonfire/Guy Fawkes Night celebration near to you tonight. As I've mentioned previously, I'm less impressed with fireworks, preferring the burning of effigies on huge bonfires — far more dramatic.

Don't be a Damp Squib

Do your bit and make sure that there's big fire to stand around and make your cheeks glow where you live. And let's see some decent looking Guys on top of the flames. Fireworks are nice, include some by all means, but let's not be mistaken — they don't mean as much and they're used for any old celebration. This is not Fireworks Night, let's not neuter the significance of the celebration.

If you're looking for a decent box of matches for your bonfire, the large Linley Union Flag Matchbox Sleeve (above) — which you would normally leave on your occasional table for cigars — should be called forth to start the blaze in a significant and sombre way. You could make this your family tradition each Guy Fawkes Night for generations to come.

The beautiful box is made from walnut, with inlaid marquetry showing the Union Flag in burr walnut, burr oak and sycamore.

The Fifth of November

You may know the first few lines of the traditional 5th of November rhyme from your schooldays. Here's the full version.

Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament,
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one,
I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holler, boys! holler, boys! make the bells ring!
Holler, boys! holler boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooray!