Everall's Fireworks : An Aladdin's Cave of Magical Fireworks ©

N.B. Throughout this list each firework or selection box has the numbers [5M] or [25M] by it. This indicates the minimum distance that spectators should be away from the firework:

[5M] indicates that the firework is a "garden firework" and that spectators should be at least 5 metres from the firework.

[25M] indicates that the firework is a "display firework" and that spectators should be at least 25 metres from the firework.

"Please to remember...

"Please to remember the
Fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
And we see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!"

It is the fifth of November and people in Britain are celebrating "Guy Fawkes Day", a wonderful excuse to have family and friends round to enjoy a party in the garden, maybe a bonfire with lots of fireworks if space allows, and some food such as sausages and baked potatoes; or perhaps just a barbecue and some sparklers. And you must have toffee apples for afters!

We all know that 5th November is "Guy Fawkes Day" or "Bonfire Night", but why do we celebrate this day, what is the story behind it? Who was Guy Fawkes?

Guy Fawkes, whose real name was Guido Fawkes, was born in York in 15709. Brought up as a Protestant he converted to a Roman Catholic at a young age, and served in the Spanish army between 1593 and 1604. As a trained miner he was highly skilled in the use of gunpowder and in the practices of tunnelling.

When Elizabeth I died in 1603 without children James, the son of Mary Queen of Scots, became King. The Catholics in England were upset that there was going to be another Protestant monarch.

In May 1604 Robert Catesby was prime mover of the "Gunpowder Plot", together with twelve other conspirators, the most famous being Guy Fawkes.

Some 36 barrels of gunpowder were assembled under cover beneath the House of Lords. The gunpowder treason was to take place during the opening of Parliament on 5th November 1605 when King James and many Members of Parliament were present. Allowing other conspirators to escape, Guy Fawkes agreed to watch the cellar on his own and light the gunpowder trail. The plot was foiled because one Lord, Baron Monteagle, was sent an anonymous letter telling him to keep away from Parliament on the 5th November as it could be dangerous to attend. He reported it to the Govenment and the Houses of Parliament were searched. Guy Fawkes was captured and after being tortured revealed the names of his fellow conspirators. Guy Fawkes was hung drawn and quartered in 1606.

James I declared the day a public holiday in his joy at the overthrow of the Gunpowder Plot. Ever since, Guy fawkes day has been a time of merrymaking, a time that both children and adults can enjoy, with a bonfire, the Guy being burnt, fireworks, baked potatoes and toffee apples.