A large crowd gathered in the field alongside Long Furlong Community Centre for the 2nd Abingdon Scouts fireworks. Quite a lot of people chose to watch from outside and put money in the bucket when it was brought round. Lights shone throughout the display for a girl called Cherry.
The evening was dry and the sky clear with a full moon behind the fireworks. In this picture where the fireworks are white the moon could be just one of the flames.
But as the fireworks took on a reddish blaze the moon stands out.
I found an interesting poem in the Faringdon Advertiser from one hundred years ago. During WWI, Guy Fawkes Day was not celebrated like it had been before the war, and the poem gives an impression of what November 5th once was like.
What was that din throughout the British nation
Which made the air to rend?
It spread from Lowestoft to Milford Haven,
From Berwick to Land’s End.
‘Twas heard in every hamlet town and city,
‘Twas heard upon the main,
‘Twas heard and felt in every remotest corner –
On hill and dale and plain.
When Sol had sunk below the grey horizon
A scene at once begun
“Hurrah! hurrah!” was heard in all directions
As was the frequent gun.
Huge fires in countless numbers then were kindled,
In some selected spot.
Ten thousand times ten thousand throats were yelling
“Gunpowder, treason, plot.”
Urchins with squibs and crackers and sky rockets
Soon blazed away with glee,
And young and old exclaimed with hearty fervour,
“Guy Fawkes shall burned be,”
And now forthwith an effigy came carried
On poles exalted high
And loud these words were heard from every quarter
“All traitors thus shall die.”
