Feel Good Friday

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello Everyone.

Well here is another Friday. The seasons are changing and bonfires will be burning over the next few days. I was wondering what memories the bonfires and maybe house fires bring. As we stare into the flames we all have so many rich times to remember some good and some not so.

I remember being eight and feeling very excited at all the lovely bonfire food. Finding half burnt, half cooked potatoes in the ashes of the bonfire, no other potato tasted so good. The dodgy fireworks at home where the Catherine wheel always spun off the post creating dangerous displays. I also remember the dark skys and stars as November evenings are here.

Do you have memories you would like to share?

Have the best weekend you can

Best wishes to all

[Hidden]

Hi MAS_Nurse,

Yes, Friday has rolled around once again in what feels like double-quick time, but as someone who has always enjoyed ritual of many kinds, I really look forward to all the traditional celebrations enjoyed since childhood, even if I don't actually take part any more, and I haven't had the pleasure of a coal fire or bonfire for years!

I do very much remember those childhood years in connection with fires at home.

One thing that now leaves me astounded is how, at 8 and a brownie, one badge was gained for 'laying a fire in the grate, and lighting it'! The Health and Safety Executive would love that one, methinks! That was when coal fires were commonly the only form of heating in a British house. I learned how to roll up old newspapers into 'doughnuts' to use for kindling, instead of sticks. I also remember the drama and groans when it was time for the chimney sweep's visit. I can even remember his name: Mr Tanner. The mess was indescribable. And on occasions, between visits, the chimney would sometimes catch light, and mum had a first aid procedure for that, which involved holding newspaper in front of the grate to make the fire blaze up the chimney and burn off the offending soot. This had a very distinct smell and we were probably lucky that the entire house didn't catch fire!

I don't remember organised bonfire nights. But almost every family saved up wood for back garden bonfires and also pennies for fireworks. And I too remember those pesky Catherine wheels flying off their posts and causing consternation.

I have a treasured memory with fireworks. I grew up in Oxford with my relatives being country people out in Oxfordshire, and one year I had been sent to live with my aunt in the village of Chadlington, during a period when mum was in hospital and then recuperating.

The two elderly men (dad and son) who ran the village shop, always made a big fuss of me as a visitor to the village. My aunt and I had gone into their store to buy the fireworks I'd saved for. 2s/6d I think! The Guy Fawkes was made and the bonfire invitingly piled high by my uncle Will, so excitement was at its peak.

In the shop the two old gents teased me by pretended to 'steal' my shopping bag. We laughed, bought the fireworks and went home.

When the bag was opened there were THREE packs of fireworks inside. I was so excited I almost burst.

But isn't it amazing how small acts of generosity and kindness can stay with us for a whole lifetime. I'm still a bit glassy eyed thinking of it again now.

So, once again, after more than 60 years, thank you so much the two Mr Harveys at the village shop for making a small girl very happy and leaving me with such a cherished memory.

Whether you are all joining in, or opting out of bonfire night, I hope you have a blessed and happy weekend and week ahead.

[FredaE in reply to Hidden]

Oh those catherine wheels.. I used to have my own fireworks at home, Iam an only child, and then I used to go out with a friend and look at other people's bonfires and smell the wonderfully exciting smell of fireworks. All small ones with sparklers as well. There were "bangers" which were a few pence but I thought they were boring. One big bang and they were gone. I liked volcanos, golden rain and silver showers and most years we had enough to buy a Roman candle which let out sparks and then went phut and shot a coloured ball into the air. Much better value we thought. And we never gave up trying to get the catherine wheels to work. They were so pretty when you got it right None of these huge rockets but we were happy. Then we would go back to my house where my mother always had baked potatoes in the oven and hot cocoa. How we hoped for a dry evening as it was not done at all to have fireworks on another night as everyone had to shut in their cats and dogs so they didn't get frightened and run off.