For or against Bonfire Night?

Mark Andrews argues the case for bonfire night

'Remember, remember, the 5th of November, the gunpowder treason and plot; I see of no reason, why gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot.'

So says the old rhyme. But those words ring as true today as they did in the 17th century, when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators were thwarted in their efforts to murder King James.

Unlike the hateful Trick-or-Treat Halloween culture which has been imported from the US in the past few years, there is something quintessentially British about Guy Fawkes' Night. In what other country would the young – and the not so young – let off small explosive devices to mark a failed attempt to blow up its Parliament?

There have been huge strides in safety made over the past few decades. While the improvised displays of the 1960s, 70s and 80s might have been tremendous fun, the casualty rates were horrendous and we should all be glad that bonfire night is now safer than it has ever been.

Time and again people talk about the importance of teaching history to youngsters, arguing that a knowledge of the past is imperative in understanding the future.

It is surely also important to remember the events of centuries gone by, particularly in this neck of the woods which is so closely associated with the infamous plot of 1605.

We, in the Black Country and Staffordshire really do not make enough of the role this area played in the story. It was at Holbeche House in Wall Heath, near Dudley – a rocket's flight from Saturday's giant bonfire display at Himley Park –where the plotters made their last stand. Robert Catesby, the man who led the ill-fated operation, and co-conspirator Robert Winter, were shot by the Sheriff of Worcester's men at Holbeche; Stephen Lyttelton was executed in Stafford, while Thomas Smart and John Holyhead, from RowleyRegis, met a gruesome end at High Green, now Queen Square, in Wolverhampton.

The simple tradition of lighting a fire on November 5, and letting off a few fireworks has probably done more to teach history to British youngsters than any number of earnest documentaries. Of course there are dangers associated with bonfire night,

but we should be equally mindful about the dangers of forgetting our past, and erasing a part of our history.

Peter Madeley argues the case against

Bonfire Night may be eagerly anticipated by many, but before you light up the fireworks this year, spare a thought for the pets and wild animals we subject to explosions during this outdated 'celebration'.

As a nation of so-called animal lovers we think nothing of putting them through the torture of Bonfire Night.

And this year it is even worse than usual. With Bonfire Night falling midweek, it is not so much of a 'night', more a week of events, serving to prolong the misery as far as animals are concerned. Even when they are safely ensconced at home there is no respite for our pets, who can cower in terror once the fireworks start to go off.

RSPCA chief veterinary officer James Yeates said many household pets suffer with fireworks phobia, a condition which causes a traumatic response at the slightest hint of a bang.

But wild animals get even more of a raw deal. An unlit bonfire is the perfect place for a hedgehog to sleep – only for it to be rudely awakened when amateur fire starters turn up with the matches and petrol.

Aside from the distress it causes animals, Bonfire Night is also the worst day of the year for burglaries, as many families get carried away with the excitement and forget to lock up the house.

Insurer Aviva says 22 per cent more thefts are reported on November 5 than on any other night of the year.

It also leads to the waiting rooms in our accident and emergency departments getting clogged up with revellers who have suffered firework injuries. West Midlands Ambulance Service treated scores of people last year, many of whom had injuries resulting from fireworks exploding in their hands.

Bonfire Night is also on very shaky ground politically and is understandably considered to be highly offensive by many people. The night commemorates the Gunpowder Plot of November 5, 1605, when Catholic rebels tried to blow up Parliament and kill the Scottish Protestant king James I. They were caught, tortured and put to death, but Guy Fawkes declared: "Our intention was to blow back the beggarly Scots to their native mountains."

Is this really something we should be celebrating in 2014?