As little Roman Catholic kids (now lapsed and gone C of E which is something of a reverse trend) we were never forbidden to celebrate Guy Fawkes night. But everyone called it bonfire night mainly, even 40 years ago, when this accursed imported begging called Trick or Treat was unheard of. (Don't get me started on the carol singers who didn't know any carols!) You don't see kids out much (at least round here) with the truly English form of begging known as "Penny for the Guy", and that seems to have dropped off in the last 10 years. It used to be fun to see which of 'em had the most brass-faced cheek in passing off a stuffed bin bag and a balloon as a guy! Gone are the days when we used to nag for dad's old jacket and trousers, and the shops sold masks made out of egg carton cardboard specifically for the purpose. The last one I made was life-sized and we were allowed to take him round the neighbours houses to beg pennies. And it WAS only pennies too!

You know, if the kids wanted to get up to no good, they only had to wait for (I think it's tonight, Nov 4th) Mischief Night (aka Mickey night, Punkie night, etc) which IS English and IS old and gives them just as much licence to lob eggs at doors and the like, but without the scrounging! The fact that, given some of the choice spirits that lived round here, we used to keep our heads well down, is neither here nor there. I have a sneaky suspicion that fireworks may prove more interesting to the young'uns this year. The village has been quiet the last few years. Perhaps this new breed have NEVER HEARD of it!

Andrea