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through. Effigies are not burned in the streets, that comes later and are made up of heroes and "Enemies of the Bonfire" This years stand out hero was the obvious choice, Lord Nelson, but this version had him made as a nodding dog type portrayal. Enemies are often identifiable characters with a catholic bent. The most common is Guy Fawkes and often past popes from the times of religious persecutions but more recent depictions have been Osama Bin Laden and even Anthea Turner. These are paraded to the jeers and abuse from the crowds lining the street, "Burn the Traitor" or "God Save The Queen " as appropriate.

The Tableaux are more fun as they are boards and poles that are small firework displays in their own right. When these are lit, still being carried through the street, the sound and heat that assails you is overwhelming. Firecrackers are dragged along the street and flairs and a myriad of other wondrous pyrotechnics colour the night sky. If this assault of sound and colour is not enough, marchers have taken to dropping noisy thunder bangs at their own feet which are deafening but which send the crowd into squeals of delight and appreciative cheering. Once the procession has passed, things are not over as the participants then split off into five separate groups and head off to different parts of the town to burn the effigies and let off even more fireworks. These generally require a ticket so it may be best if you can organise this in advance. Even if you don't manage to get into a display, you can see lights dancing high in the sky everywhere you look above the town.

It is a most fantastic night and one that I thoroughly recommend. Not only is it the most colourful, irreverent and boisterous November 5th event you could experience, you will be sure in the fact that you are helping to perpetuate a 450 year old tradition.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
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