The Parwich Bonfire is tonight on the usual field off the Alsop Lane:
7pm Bonfire
7-30pm Fireworks
Bonfire Night celebrates the thwarting of the Catholic Gunpowder Plot aimed at blowing up the Protestant King James I at the State opening of Parliament. On the 5th of November 1605 Gut Fawkes was captured in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with a considerable quantity of gun powder.
Tradition has it that one of the plotters hid at Manor Farm in Alsop-en-le-Dale. The plotters had strong links to the Midlands, including Staffordshire. The majority of the plotters died or were captured at the siege of Holbeche House in the southern part of Staffordshire on the 8th November leaving them little time to visit Alsop-en-le-Dale. However several of the plotters were on the run for a little longer. For most it was only a few days, but Robert Wintour, along with Stephen Littleton, the owner of Holbeche House, was at large in the Midlands for several months. If either of these two hid here it is unlikely that it was with the knowledge of the Alsop family next door at the Hall, who earlier and later seem to have had strong Protestant leanings.
If you are having your own fireworks, don’t forget to follow the firework code:
- When buying fireworks, make sure they comply with BS 7114 and are clearly marked for their intended use “Indoor, Garden or Display”
- Keep fireworks in a sealed box or tin
- Use them one at a time, replacing the lid immediately
- NEVER put fireworks in your pocket
- Read the instructions carefully, using a torch or hand lamp NEVER use a naked flame
- Light fireworks at arms length using a taper or a firework lighter
- Stand well back and NEVER return to a firework after it has been lit, it could explode in your face
- Ensure that all children with fireworks are well supervised
- NEVER throw fireworks
- Keep all pets and animals indoors
- Take care of sparklers, wear gloves to hold them and dispose of sparklers in a bucket of water as soon as they are finished
PARWICH.ORG 
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