What is Bonfire Night all about? Published Oct. 29, 2009 By British Billy 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH,England -- As I was out and about on one of my territorial patrols, I noticed the early stages of a bonfire being built in a neighbouring garden. 'Here comes Bonfire Night again!' I thought to myself. I plan to spend the next few evenings curled up indoors, paws over my ears. From now until Nov. 5, England will be commemorating the survival of King James I after the foiling of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605. Bonfires will be aflame and fireworks aglow, whizzing and exploding across the November skies. Four hundred years ago, Guy Fawkes and a group of other plotters attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London by hiding barrels of gunpowder in the cellars. It was Guy Fawkes' job to watch over the barrels and light the fuse, and, as the one discovered by the soldiers, it is his name that has gone down in history. As well as the fireworks, it's traditional to make a 'guy' to burn on top of the bonfire, usually made out old clothes stuffed with straw or paper with a hat and a mask on to add to the realism. Most towns and villages will have a large, organized bonfire and fireworks display which often raise money for local charities, so keep your eyes peeled for posters and adverts. So, as you can see, being disgruntled with the powers-that-be is not a recent phenomenon. There is a lot more to the story, as you can imagine, but most people aren't very worried about the history, just cheering themselves up as the nights draw in ever earlier, with the heat of the bonfire, the fun of the fireworks and filling their tums with baked potatoes, toffee apples and the like. Personally, as the finely tuned, highly sensitive creature that I am, I will be staying in with a mousey take-away. You would be wise to keep all your beloved pets inside on Bonfire Night. Loud noises don't agree with us. Keep us indoors and turn up the television. As for you, I suggest you put on your warm mittens, a wooly hat and gloves and go and out and join the locals for some good old British fun. "Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason, why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot."