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Guy Fawkes dropped for bonfire night
Last updated at 13:07pm on 02.11.06
Consigned to history? Guy Fawkes will not feature at a bonfire celebration in Hackney
Guy Fawkes has been banned by council bosses in east London - and replaced with a Bengali folk tale. Tower Hamlets said it wanted to provide an "alternative" theme to celebrate November 5 and the attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
The council has commissioned a £75,000 fireworks display entitled the Emperor and the Tiger, which tells the story of the "Moghul Emperor, the Wise Man and the Guardian of the Jungle". As a mock Bengal tiger paces a giant catwalk, fire will light up a "forest" to the sound of Bangla drummers and dancers.
Around 20,000 people are expected to pack into Hackney's Victoria Park for Sunday night's display - but there will be no mention of the date's enormous significance in British history. The move came under fire from George Galloway and campaigners. Mr Galloway, Respect MP for Bethnal Green and Bow said: "It beggars belief that this council should organise a Bonfire Night without a bonfire or a Guy."
John Midgley, spokesman for the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said the council's move would "explode in their faces". He added: "There's a time and a place for everything and November 5 is for Bonfire Night. It's time for common sense and for people to tell bureaucrats that politically correct actions like these undermine our historic occasions and harm community relations."
One third of Tower Hamlets' population of 196,000 is Bengali - about 65,000. But Bengalis dominate the council and its cabinet with 31 of the 51 councillors. Tower Hamlets council insisted they were neither being politically correct nor forgetting the Gunpowder Plot.
Officials said: We did Guy fawkes last year" and insisted it was their tradition to have a different theme each year. In a statement, a spokesman said: "And this differentiates our celebrations from other boroughs and our events are proving to be extremely popular.
"Our sole aim is to stage an exciting event - on the traditional Fireworks Night - that will attract the interest of as many people as possible. Since introducing the themed events four years ago, visitor numbers have increased from 3,000 to a massive 23,000 people at last year's event. Let's judge the event by how much people enjoy themselves on the night."
Three nights of displays will light up the skies of London this weekend. Bonfire Night is Sunday, but many displays have been brought forward to Friday and Saturday - which means a 72-hour bonfire bonanza.
Reader views (11)
I am a little perplexed as to the reasons given to this change in heart by the local community.
I think that it would be a great idea to have a celebration of such a nature. It introduces new cultural identities into the area and shows great community spirit… but to run the even instead of Guy Fawkes is sheer madness… what happened to teaching kids the history of London and in such a way that it will stick in their memory. Is this not part of London and therefore our history ?
If this event is a revenue generating scheme. Host both events on alternate weekends. You will establish a better base and encourage more people of different faiths to the area.
As it stands I would be very surprise if you didn’t find hordes of people staying away out of protest, in defiance of yet another tradition that seems to be neglected and un-cool with Labour.
- Rob, Richmond - upon - Thames
Grow up, so one place in the entire country is doing something that isn't guy fawkes. What does it matter? Go down and watch the show and you'll see it will be amazing regardless of the topic. Where were all you moaners the year before when they did an Olympic theme? That's got nothing to do with Guy Fawkes either.
- Rob Bailey, Huddersfield
Are there any other dates that Tower Hamlets want to erase from our memories? VE Day perhaps, or even Christmas.
There are plenty of other days in the year to do this. Why change Guy Fawkes Night? It's a joke.
- Michael A, Ex Tower Hamlets
First Santa, Now Guy? Once again the wisdom of our public servants never cease to amaze... Here's an idea for the West London councils to follow suit (keeping up with the Jones's and all). Given the higher concentration of American expatriates in the West London area, April 23rd will not be celebrated as St. George’s Day, as it was already done last year. Instead, it will be replaced with Thanksgiving. Rather than waving the St. George's Cross flags, the council will unleash unto the streets an army of wild turkeys carrying sachels of stuffing and cranberry sauce. Let it not slip our attention that this is also another great opportunity for the UK government to ingratiate themselves to the US administration. Maybe Guy had a point...
- Keith, Richmond-upon-Thames
What a fantastic idea! No one is trying to erase history or get rid of Guy Fawkes. The Council is just trying to be innovative and creative. I think this is a great way to bring different cultures and traditions together on one night, if my local council did this I would definitely be there.
- Jenny, Birmingham
Guy Fawkes was one of the few people ever to walk into Parliament with good intentions - leave him be!
- Athena, Hampstead
This is political correctness gone mad! Why are Tower Hamets council trying to erase such an important part of British history?
- Ffion, Bethnal Green, East London
Wouldn't it be good if we could obtain some of Mr Fawkes' DNA and clone him. This time, allow him to complete his task as this government could do with a rocket up their backsides!
- G Strachan, Manchester, UK
The problem for most people is not the lack of a guy. Up and down the country fireworks dispalys are just loud music and fireworks. Without a hint of Catholic burning and all that tradition.
Poeple seem to have a problem with a council doing something cultural and interesting. If they had chosen simply to send up firworks and play thumping dance music (like many dispays) nobody would have batted an eyelid.
The guy fawkes part of the evening died out for many people a long time ago. So hat if a coucil decides to do something which requires a level of intelligence?
I am being serious, would anybody havew noticed if they had not themed it and just done what so many places do and just lit a fewfireworks and sold overpriced burgers? Of course not.
This is not PC gone mad. I rather like the idea.
- Chris, Beckenham
Surely 'it is our tradition to do something different each year' is a contradiction.
- Frank, london
What!? This is ridiculous.
‘tradition to have a different theme each year.’ I’ve never heard something so stupid coming from a Government Official, wait of course I have this is PC gone mad ‘Britian’.
I'll have to find somewhere else to celebrate this year!
- Daniel, Isle of Dogs
