Bonfire night round-up

WITH the winter nights drawing in, it’s time to get out the toffee apples and sparklers and remember, remember Guy Fawkes night.

Here is a round-up of the bonfires and firework displays going on in our area.

Batley: Sunday November 4 – The Taproom in Batley is holding its debut bonfire and fireworks display. Drinks and food also available. Starts at 7.30pm.

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Birstall: Monday November 5 – Bonfire social at the Black Bull, Birstall. Arrive at around 6pm.

Dewsbury: Sunday November 4 – Missions fundraiser and fireworks display at the main hall, Dewsbury Elim Church, Daisy Hill. Starts at 6pm.

Monday November 5 – Bonfire party at Dewsbury Gospel Church. Food, refreshments and fireworks. Starts at 7pm.

Mirfield: Saturday November 3 – the Mirfield Round Table charity bonfire and fireworks extravaganza takes place at Mirfield showground. The gates open at 5.30pm and the fire will be lit at 6.30pm, with fireworks set off around 7pm. Hot food and drinks will be available, along with fairground rides and games. Adults £3, Children 50p and senior citizens £1.

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Saturday November 3 – Annual charity bonfire display at the Old Colonial in aid of the Mirfield Battle project, raising money for Help for Heroes. Adults £3, children £2, including food. Starts at 6pm.

Spenborough: Cleckheaton Rugby Union Club is holding a firework display at 6.30pm. The club will not be holding a bonfire.

If you are having a display at home, there are some weird and wonderful facts about our favourite fireworks that you might want to bear in mind.

Catherine wheel: The wheel takes its name from an instrument of medieval torture on which, according to legend, St Catherine was to have been martyred, but which miraculously flew into pieces when she touched it. The design is popular during religious festivals, particularly in Malta which holds the record for the largest Catherine Wheel – it measured 32 metres in diameter.

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Roman candles: The origins of the name differ. Some say they became famous in Italy during religious festivals. However, others suggest the term is derived from the Roman Emperor Nero’s habit of burning Christians in pitch-filled barrels to light his palace gardens.

Rockets: Red colours are achieved with lithium carbonate, yellows with sodium nitrate and even gold, white and purple can be created. The record for the most rockets to be launched in 30 seconds is 125,801, in 2010 at Cebu, Philippines.

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