The local paper from my home town recently posted the following on its local web site….a testament to tradition, at the same time a note on progress.

Public Service Announcement

The Town of Grand Falls Windsor, Parks and Recreation Department are presently looking for pallets, wood, etc for its community bonfire to be held on November 5. If you have any items that you can donate please call XXX-XXXX, XXX-XXXX or fax XXX-XXXX. You can also e-mail.

Growing up in Newfoundland, Bonfire night actually started mid-summer. The only thing in my life that was more important (at least to my father) was to get the winter’s wood put away. A must if I was to celebrate Bonfire night.

For the quintessential and of course the largest bonfire, we collected pallets, ‘blasty boughs’ for the bonfire finale, tires from every service station we could get to, and anything else that was remotely flammable. Tires were the best…..the steel belting, the smoke, the smell of the rubber, the toxins… we really didn’t care. Not one of us ever went home without the acrid stench of rubber on our clothes, the red smoky eyes, or blackened marshmallow clinging to sweaters and mitts. In later years we cooked potatoes, roasted wieners, and made what my grandmother called ‘frozies’. All cooked over the coals, tires and all. No S’mores for us.

As I was preparing this I remembered the chant we used to sing and racked my brain over the words to the point where I had to phone and ask my parents. Now in their 70’s my father never skipped a beat…..he recited, I wrote, and then he said, “I thought that internet thing was supposed to have all that stuff”…..words from the wise. Anyway here it is:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,’twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God’s providence he was catched
With a dark lantern and burning match.

Hello boys, hello boys, make the bells ring.
Hello boys, hello boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

Interestingly enough, we only knew the second verse.

So now it’s community bonfires. I’m sure this is much safer, more controlled, and more accessible to everyone. I’m also sure that the sight of some smallish boys trapsing through town with axes, and knives is likely now frowned upon let alone the custom of rolling tires through the streets en route to their demise.

The tradition has changed or modified. The more trendy green movement, the recycling of virtually everything from spray cans to tires, pallets to christmas trees has changed this tradition. However, this Newfoundlander has not forgotten, and in my mind’s eye I can see and hear childhood friends Stephen, Lorraine, Blair, Velda, David, on the street chanting. I can also hear my now 77 year old father “Now my son, get that wood stowed up.”