Penny for the Guy

Welcome to Bramley, a village near Guildford that, every November for the last 40 years, has produced a stunning evening of lanterns and illuminations to commemorate the Gunpowder Plot.  I love the celebrations on 5 November, its cold dark evening a reminder of Autumn’s tightening grip on our lives, confining to memory the sunny days of summer, and forewarning us instead of the winter that lays inevitably ahead.  It’s also such a particularly British festival, arguably the most visible annual celebration of our national history, and here at Bramley, they really do it properly; no tasteless fairground rides, no tacky plastic wands, no booming music that is better suited to city clubs and bars…  In fact, the evening begins in wonderfully traditional style, with the judging of village children’s Guys.

Bramley is well-known in these parts because of its November 5 lantern procession, which makes for a stunning and atmospheric evening.  The long procession leaves the village centre and heads, slowly and carefully, for the massive bonfire, in the spirit of Walt Disney's Night on Bald Mountain.  When the torch-bearers have all assembled (and they circle the bonfire three-or-four people deep), we are reminded of the Gunpowder Plot, the crowd chanting those famous and traditional words:

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God's providence he was catched
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

The Guys are placed lovingly on the bonfire, which is then set ablaze by the lantern-bearers.  Fire rips through the material, taking hold at an astonishing rate, illuminating the field and the crowd with awesome brightness.  Fortunately, the wind is on our side, the heat blowing away from the gathering and up into the dark, starry sky.

As the bonfire begins to die down, a single rocket firework flies up into the heavens; a warning for spectators to shift their focus upwards.  What follows is an awesome display of noise, colour and light, an inspirational show to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Bramley’s brilliant event.  The crowd cheer, clap, ooooh and aaaah, as do Lizzie and I, for this is the best display we have ever seen.  It’s hard to get good photos of fireworks, but I think this video gives a little taster of just how good these illuminations were:

So, how do Bramley get it so right and produce an evening better than so many others?  In my mind, it comes down to tradition, community, and generosity.  The celebrations are handled in the most tasteful, timeless manner, they’re organised by volunteers in the community, and they rely on donations, the sale of lanterns and refreshments, so that they can make next year’s event every bit as good.  Everyone plays their part which, speaking as someone from outside the area, is very noticeable and says much about the village.

So, it’ll probably be Bramley again for next year’s festivities – I just think it’s great, and so unusual, to find an event that seems so dedicated to retaining the spirit of the occasion, and to doing it right.