The Grumpy Vegan returned from the U.S. in time for Hastings Week and Hastings Bonfire celebration.
Hastings Week celebrates the date in 1066 when King Harold lost the Battle of Hastings. The official program goes on to explain
William Duke of Normandy, who was using Hastings as his base, then claimed the crown and changed the way England was governed forever. He also gave us the English language.
On Thursday evening, the High Street in Old Town, which is the seat of the Grumpy Vegan, hosted a Foyles War Street Party. The event, organised by High Street Traders, had a World War Two theme, which included live bands, barbeque and dancing, plus a 1940’s mannequin parade, air raid sirens and military vehicles. Many of the windows in the shops and restaurants and other traders along the High Street displayed WW2 artefacts and displays.
The bonfire celebration is part of Britain’s annual Guy Fawkes Night on November 5. Fawkes was a member of a group of English Roman Catholics who attempted to carry out the Gunpowder Plot. This was an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I of England.
Hastings Borough Bonfire Society is one of several area bonfire societies who, at this time of year, dress up in exotic costumes and parade through their towns with flaming torches.
The Grumpy Vegan hung out from his first (Americans read second) floor window and watched for what must have been an hour as an incredible procession of bonfire societies, drumming bands and glorious eccentrics marched by. Firecrackers were set off. Men breathed out flames across the street. Smoke filled the air and flares coloured it amazing hues. Quite frankly, the experience is hard to describe as there is nothing to compare it to.
