Chumping

[Leeds Hippo]

With it being November the 5th - do kids still go "chumping" for wood for the bonfires anymore? I know when I was a kid there was a lot of waste ground and wood where it would be the tradition several weeks before bonfire night to collect wood (and anything else that would burn). We had to keep a constant watch incase neighbouring "gangs" would try to steal our wood. Often we would build dens near the bonfire and roast potatoes by candle light.Also didn't see many mischievous kids last night though it was blowing a gale.

[jim]

I think that Mischief Night has been lost as a concept, and been replaced in more recent years by the American fake "import" of Trick or Treat. No one participated in Trick or Treat in my childhood, but it does have the advantages to children of today of allowing "mischief" coupled with a now accepted form of door-to-door begging. The attraction is obvious. Street bonfires have become less and less acceptable for various reasons, children do not "play out" to the extent we knew, and private and local bonfires have been replaced in many cases by larger public formal district or town provision. I think that if a street bonfire of the type I remember on a cobbled street were lit on today's tarmac the Highways Department would be looking for someone to send the bill to! All of this will have contributed to the disappearance of chumping, as adults are now building the bonfires and not children. I still see plenty of children asking for "a penny for the guy" in Armley, but of course that has the same mercenary attraction as Trick or Treat.    

[Leeds Hippo]

You know - I've not seen a single instance of "Penny for the guy" recently - has this dissappeared as well.Though a few years ago I saw one enterprising kid dressed up as the guy who collected quite a lot of cash - especially when he jumped up and started dancing! - he was very entertaining.

[buffaloskinner]

There was Guy outside Somerfields at Middleton on Sunday, but thats the only one I have seen.They certainly dont seem to take the time to make them anymore

[jim]

I also seem to remember that bonfires ( and fireworks ) were ONLY on November the Fifth itself, no matter what the weather. Nowadays it seems to be pick any night that you find suitable to your own preferences. This attitude seems somewhat antisocial to those - such as pet owners - who have to make special arrangements to minimise the noise problem. One night a year they will accept gracefully, several is a bit much. At least this year there have been less fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.    

[chameleon]

jim wrote: I also seem to remember that bonfires ( and fireworks ) were ONLY on November the Fifth itself, no matter what the weather. Nowadays it seems to be pick any night that you find suitable to your own preferences. This attitude seems somewhat antisocial to those - such as pet owners - who have to make special arrangements to minimise the noise problem. One night a year they will accept gracefully, several is a bit much. At least this year there have been less fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.     But there are rules from recent years Jim:Can I use fireworks whenever I like?A. Yes and No. You can use fireworks every day of the year between the hours of 7am and 11pm, except on Bonfire Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year (1am).But...... needless to say, geting this enforced or causing anyone to suffer the £1 000 penalty is well, rockets in the skyI enjoy a display as much as most people but the point comes where you need some peace and quiet - and prefer not to see animals cowering in fear every night for weeks on end

[Leeds Hippo]

chameleon wrote: jim wrote: I also seem to remember that bonfires ( and fireworks ) were ONLY on November the Fifth itself, no matter what the weather. Nowadays it seems to be pick any night that you find suitable to your own preferences. This attitude seems somewhat antisocial to those - such as pet owners - who have to make special arrangements to minimise the noise problem. One night a year they will accept gracefully, several is a bit much. At least this year there have been less fireworks in the run up to Bonfire Night.     But there are rules from recent years Jim:Can I use fireworks whenever I like?A. Yes and No. You can use fireworks every day of the year between the hours of 7am and 11pm, except on Bonfire Night (midnight), Diwali, New Year, and Chinese New Year (1am).But...... needless to say, geting this enforced or causing anyone to suffer the £1 000 penalty is well, rockets in the skyI enjoy a display as much as most people but the point comes where you need some peace and quiet - and prefer not to see animals cowering in fear every night for weeks on end Isn't it also Diwali today?We have a guy down the street and his idea of a firework display is to let off loud mortars one after the other - very little display just BANG, BANG, BANG . . for several hours.     

[jim]

Hi Chameleon. I understand and accept your point, but the main drift of my post was about when Bonfire Night, and it's attendant junketings, should be celebrated.    

[chameleon]

'Isn't it also Diwali today?We have a guy down the street and his idea of a firework display is to let off loud motars one after the other - very little display just BANG, BANG, BANG . . for several hours.' Indeed it is so, two celebrations in one day. I suspect that celebration of all will continue for some days though, somehow.    

[dervish99]

Leeds Hippo wrote: With it being November the 5th - do kids still go "chumping" for wood for the bonfires anymore? I know when I was a kid there was a lot of waste ground and wood where it would be the tradition several weeks before bonfire night to collect wood (and anything else that would burn). We had to keep a constant watch incase neighbouring "gangs" would try to steal our wood. Often we would build dens near the bonfire and roast potatoes by candle light.Also didn't see many mischievous kids last night though it was blowing a gale. Must have taken a long time to roast a potao by candlelight