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Roundhay Park Bonfire - November 2009 On stage: Glen Pinder (magic 828, come on Leeds, I can't hear you... 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 etc...) Once again in 2009, tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at Roundhay Park to enjoy Leeds’ biggest bonfire and fireworks event. Bonfire - Fire lighting at 7.30 pm - Fireworks: Firework Display from 8pm MAPS OF ROUNDHAY PARK: Roundhay Park Mark Map (PDF to print) | Roundhay Park area Map (Google) |
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Roundhay Park Bonfire and Firework spectacular 2009. In 1605, Guy Fawkes (born in York 1570) and a group of co-conspirators attempted to blow up King James 1 and the Houses of Parliament in what has become known as the Gunpowder Plot. Before they were able to carry out their plan they were caught, and subsequently tortured and executed. Every year since 1605, November the 5th, has becone the date for celebrating his notorious treasonous Gunpowder Plot failure by letting off fireworks and burning an effigy of 'Guy' on a bonfire. On 5 November bonfires, effigies and fireworks are lit throughout the country as Britain remembers Englands most infamous traitor - Guy Fawkes, the Gunpowder Plot conspirator caught red-handed in the House of Lords cellar in the Parliament building, London in 1605 as he was about to blow up Parliament and the King in an attempt to rid the country of its Protestant rulers and restore the Catholic faith. Guy Fawkes' Night, or Bonfire Night, today has many customs. The most obvious link would appear to be the effigy, or 'guy', named after Fawkes, the rag-bag of old clothes stuffed with newspapers customarily burnt atop the bonfire. The tradition started in 1606, but surprisingly the effigy burnt until 1806 was not, in fact, Fawkes but Pope Paul V !, who after the Gunpowder Plot refused to allow Catholics to take the oath of allegiance to the Crown. The Fireworks Safety Code Buses to Roundhay Park from Leeds City Centre Ask driver for the stop at Roundhay Park!! Roundhay Park is on the 2 and 12 circular bus route. Buses number 12 (Blue Line) take the most direct route via Oakwood. Buses on route number 2 (Red Line) go a longer way via Moortown Corner. Bus Routes 2, 12 Roundhay Park or Moortown depart from New Market St., New Briggate in Leeds City Centre Daytime every 10 minutes, Sundays & evenings every 20 or 30 minutes Extra buses are allocated when there is a major event on in Roundhay park DISCLAIMER: Note that all events may be subject to change, and we advise you to independently check and confirm any event before travelling! E & OE 2008. |
Crime Prevention Advice It’s easy to have a carefree attitude at this type of occasion but remember to take the same precautions you would on any other night out. Should you wish to report a crime, contact Police on 0845 6060606 or in an emergency call 999. |
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Roundhay Park Leeds - History of the Park. NEW: Take a walk in the Park - guide map here. The entire estate was purchased by the City of Leeds in 1872 and opened as a public park by His Royal Highness Prince Arthur on the 19th of September 1872. At the time, the then Lord Mayor John Barran of Leeds was ridiculed for buying a 'White Elephant' - in that the park was too far out of the city for the majority of the population to enjoy, and in any event the park had just one access road - an old 'turnpike' road dating from 1808. The park was seen as a reckless waste of Leeds ratepayers money - critics even published a booklet under the title: 'The Big White Elephant' in 1879. In June 1907 an open air swimming pool 'lido' opened, at a cost of just over £1,600, it was built mainly by unemployed citizens. During the 1950's and 1960's about 100,000 people a year visited the 'swimming baths'. The park comprises over 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland. The Park includes scented gardens for the blind, National Plant Collections, Canal Gardens, the Monet and Alhambra Gardens, plus Tropical World (also known as Butterfly Gardens and Butterfly World) which attracts visitors all year round. Newly opened in 2005 is the Friends Garden, located alongside Canal Gardens and the Rainbow Garden. |
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