Guy Fawkes day

[WMD351]

Why don't we celebrate it anymore? O.K. that's a rhetorical question, we can't have big bonfires or buy fireworks these days.
It was only just before my time but those two things sound like every little boys dreams come true. It also had a special significance to Aussie culture.
But anyway, I've heard some hilarious stories from friends and workmates today about houses nearly burnt down by accident and people scarred for life by firework mishaps, and was wondering if any forum members had some fond recollections or stories they'd be willing to share.

[bungarra]

Too many nanny state restrictions by government ministers who probably had a few fireworks thrown at them when they were kids!!

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by WMD351

Why don't we celebrate it anymore? O.K. that's a rhetorical question, we can't have big bonfires or buy fireworks these days.
It was only just before my time but those two things sound like every little boys dreams come true. It also had a special significance to Aussie culture.
But anyway, I've heard some hilarious stories from friends and workmates today about houses nearly burnt down by accident and people scarred for life by firework mishaps, and was wondering if any forum members had some fond recollections or stories they'd be willing to share.

Fireworks + Kids = Trouble

More significant to UK culture than Australia though

[WMD351]

I always thought it was a U.K. thing but I've been surprised today to find out a lot of people I spoke to used to celebrate it here.
Yes of course fireworks + kids = trouble, but fun loads of trouble I'll bet.
A quick google showed it was celebrated here for almost the opposite reason England had.
I had a couple of mates tell me their whole streets used to get involved, dragging wood over to an empty block for days in preparation.

[bungarra]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Fireworks + Kids = Trouble

Had more fun with what i learnt in high school chemistry. Would probably be arrested for urban terrorism these days. Especially the home made hydrogen balloons with a black powder fuse attached.

[ratter]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

Fireworks + Kids = Trouble

Great times though, I remember going to the different bon fires around the neighbourhood with all our crackers, also remember nearly going deaf from short wick penny bangers, burnt fingers from pre mentioned items, having sky rocket wars against mates on the other side of the road, lighting 10 shooters after aiming them at neighbours windows and watch as the first hit the window and the neighbour would come to the window only to nearly have a heart attack as the 2nd went of and then the third and so on ahh great times


ohhhhh, I can see why they are banned now.

[Resurrection]

I miss the days when one could purchase fireworks at the local milkbar. Those were the days.

[Silver Ghia]

Remember those days...penny bungers blowing up stuff (or trying to) and having bonfires - all harmless so it seemed at the time. Watched the skyrockets at night from our loungeroom as we were on a hill overlooking them. I remember the last bonfire we had was about 30 years ago now. There was also Empire day some years before that where they did the same thing, but that disappeared while I was still young.

[WMD351]

Originally Posted by ratter

Great times though, I remember going to the different bon fires around the neighbourhood with all our crackers, also remember nearly going deaf from short wick penny bangers, burnt fingers from pre mentioned items, having sky rocket wars against mates on the other side of the road, lighting 10 shooters after aiming them at neighbours windows and watch as the first hit the window and the neighbour would come to the window only to nearly have a heart attack as the 2nd went of and then the third and so on ahh great times

hehe, yeah that's the kind of thing I've been hearing.
I'm thinking of a resurrection of sorts, firecrackers might be out but I'm thinking of dragging out a 44 gallon drum for a hobo fire in the backyard and any excuse for a barbie is a good excuse in my books.

[trippa]

Originally Posted by bungarra

Too many nanny state restrictions by government ministers who probably had a few fireworks thrown at them when they were kids!!

as a licensed pyro i wish this was the case..... but sadly its not nanny states its idiots, alcohol, and fireworks= a shocking and counter finger poducing combo

But hey one day people might understand fireworks = hurt, Guy Fawkes might be fun again

[jaydee]

Because too many kids were being stupid and blowing their fingers off.
We should ban that American carp, halloween too.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Because too many kids were being stupid and blowing their fingers off.
We should ban that American carp, halloween too.

What American craap? Guy Fawkes is English.

[Interceptor]

the official reason? public safety
the unofficial reason? the government is terrified that someone might remember the idea of the public taking action and try to blow thier local pollie into orbit!!!

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Because too many kids were being stupid and blowing their fingers off.
We should ban that American carp, halloween too.

Yeah that American Carp, so harmful to all the other fish around!!! And when he's around, the Australian Carp have no chance with the ladies. Damn American Carp, how'd he get a passport anyway, he's a fish!

And Halloween originated from Ireland didn't it, not America.

[FrogInASock]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Because too many kids were being stupid and blowing their fingers off.
We should ban that American carp, halloween too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

[mik]

i can remember as a young tacker haveing lots of fun with fireworks.... , one time i set off a rocket out of a milk bottle, exactly as the fuse was about to ignite the rocket the bottle fell over and it speared off down the street on the horizontal angle like superman on a mission, in a million to one shot....... it went straight under the doorway of a jewellers , fortuneatly the place did`nt burn to the ground .
anyone ever play commando with 10 penny bangers fused together (the big buggers) hmmm maybe its a story for another day .

[rancidpunx]

I used to love Bonfire Night in the UK, and fireworks are so easily available. Saying that though they have cracked down with all the kids losing fingers and faces. Im surprised no body has bought up Bush Fires. I would have thought that would be a big concern here.

[cs123]

Originally Posted by vztrt

What American craap? Guy Fawkes is English.

..... and Halloween is a Celtic festival.

[SVR73]

My parents fondly remember it back in the 50's and 60's in Gawler, SA
I got to experience some pretty good fun whilst in Boise, Idaho USA for three months during June, July and August

my american friends parents own a fireworks company so on Independance Day, we let off a tonne of them in the street. all sorts including light up floating hot air balloons that travel for miles and miles.
Finished it off by blowing up a barbie doll.

over there, at least on July 4th, its go nuts with fireworks all you want.

I'd say that you could still set off fireworks any day but maybe there are some restrictions unlike here.

If we could combine the best things about america and australia and make it a country- what a bloody awesome country it would be

[EASYBOSS]

Yep, we had a lot of fun when we were kids, but its not the same now.

I'm starting to think that it should also be banned in New Zealand, have a look at this vid, taken from outside our house last night. Not the best quality, but you get the idea.

[flappist]

Remembering an event where the government was so corrupt, incompetent and out of touch with needs of society that someone actually took action against them.......

I just can't imagine why it was banned.

[WMD351]

Thanks EASYBOSS, that's exactly the picture I had in mind. hehehe
Yes I know, it's always fun until someone gets hurt. (but so very much fun )
Why aren't we allowed to have fun anymore? Oh well.
And yes flappist, no one willing to to question authority or stand up to the man does seem very un-Australian (to me at least), but I guess that's just the way we've been raised. Poor old Ned Kelly would be turning in his grave (if only we could find it and check).
Thanks for sharing guys.

[bungarra]

Explosive products, sorts the men from the boys!! You can still by them 1 day of the year in Darwin. Unfortunately they don't ship to WA....bugger! Back to the shed to make black powder and hydrogen.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by FrogInASock

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night

Who are you calling a Troll?

[flappist]

Originally Posted by jaydee

Who are you calling a Troll?

Well in that Halloween is Celtic and Guy Fawkes is English troll is is not an accurate term for an ignorant bigoted politically correct nanny so he should withdraw it.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well in that Halloween is Celtic and Guy Fawkes is English troll is is not an accurate term for an ignorant bigoted politically correct nanny so he should withdraw it.

But its the Americans that go around tricking and treating, and as usual our kids have to follow in their footsteps, the teens see it as n excuse to throw eggs and flour bombs. Why do we allow ourselves to adopt practices from other countries?

[KYSBF]

Having spent part of my childhood in NZ I have some very fond memories of Guy Fawkes night, crackers, bonfires and as alluded to earlier it was a real community thing. The missus and I were lucky enough to be in NZ for this years, we got some rockets and asst fireworks and let them off at the motel we were staying at. Great time had by all. Funny though, the crackers don't seem as powerful as they did all those years ago.....probably a good thing!!

[flappist]

Originally Posted by jaydee

But its the Americans that go around tricking and treating, and as usual our kids have to follow in their footsteps, the teens see it as n excuse to throw eggs and flour bombs. Why do we allow ourselves to adopt practices from other countries?

What you mean practices like driving bloody big V8 engined cars like Americans?
Or the practice of having holidays at Christmas with Santa and Easter with chocolate?
Or the concept of the "weekend"?
Or kicking footballs or hitting golf balls?

Are these foreign practices also to be disgarded?