November in Particular

Diwali

Hindu festival of light, marking for many, the New Year. It begins in the 'dark half' (when the moon wanes) of the Hindu month of Asvina (which can be in October or November) and lasts for five days. Although this festival is celebrated differently by different communities, often the ceremony opens with the triumph of good over evil in the destruction of the Diwali demon. Several days of feasting, fireworks and present-giving follow. Although this festival is celebrated in different ways, there are common themes: the importance of time and season, the attainment of merit, the removal of sin, fasting and the making of vows. See the Diwali web-site.

Bonfire Night, November 5th

Bonfires are associated with Guy Fawkes. The word bonfire may come from 'bonefire' referring to a time when they were associated with burning people at the stake for heresy. Some celebrations, such as at Lewes, are still held in memory of martyrs of such a fate.

Bonfire celebrations are held across the country, notably at: Brockham, Surrey - the bonfire pole was cut from local woods at the end of September and has been built on since, giving villagers a chance to clear their gardens and prune hedges and trees. On the nearest Saturday to November 5th, a 14' Guy is carried through the village with a torchlight procession and then circles the bonfire. There is a spectacular fireworks display afterwards. Contact Mrs Plumb, Parish Clerk +44(0)1737 843471. Brockham also has an event on May day ; Lewes, E.Sussex - a torchlit procession of burning effigies, fireworks, a bonfire and the rolling of tar barrels down the street. This commemorates the martydom of seventeen local people burned at the stake in the reign of Mary Tudor, as well as Guy Fawkes night. Contact Lewes TIC +44(0)1273 483448 or see the Lewes Bonfire Council web-site. Lewes also has May celebrations.

Tar Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary, Devon - after a year of preparation, flaming barrels are carried on the shoulders up and down the crowded streets, often by descendents of past Barrel Rollers. Thought to originate from ancient fire rituals, boy's, women's and men's barrels are run at different times from the late afternoon to midnight when a huge barrel is run. Contact Ottery St Mary TIC +44(0)1404 813964, or look at this web-site.

Turning the Devil's Stone, Shebbear, nr Holsworthy, Devon. To prevent bad luck, villagers turn a large stone, 'dropped by the devil' under an ancient oak tree.

Bridgwater Carnival, Somerset - one of the largest of the west country carnivals, this is held on the nearest Thursday to 5 November: featuring a huge procession of illuminated carnival floats and displays of the Bridgwater Squibs fireworks. Look at the Carnival Chronicle web-site for carnivals across the UK.

Mid-November

Remembrance Sunday, Sunday nearest November 11th. Handmade poppies, symbolising the war dead, are sold in aid of ex-servicemen, because the common poppy grew in such profusion around the trenches of Flanders in WWI.

Blazing Tar Barrels, Hatherleigh, Devon - starts at 5am on the second Saturday in November with the first run of barrels through the streets, then carnival processions later. Contact Mary Wonnacott +44(0)1837 810678 or look at the Hatherleigh carnival web-site.

Late November

Holly, Mistletoe, Wreaths & Christmas Tree Auction at Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire on the Tuesdays leading up to Christmas. This area has been renowned for its hops, fruit, holly and mistletoe for over 200 years. Since 2001 there has been a return to a more sustainable harvesting of mistletoe, leaving healthy plants to grown on for the following year. Contact +44 (0)1584 819587.

Buy Nothing Day on 30th November. A new idea to highlight the extremes of consumerism that, although shunned by the advertising TV networks, is now celebrated in 40 countries. We are encouraged not to buy things that we don't really need. Look at the Buy Nothing Day web-site.

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