5th November -
On the 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes was arrested while guarding explosives which the Gunpowder Plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. To celebrate the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure. Now we celebrate by having bonfires, burning effigies of Guy Fawkes and having fireworks.
Activities: Make Edible sparkles with chocolate fingers & sprinkles, cupcake bonfires or edible firework art. Chalk firework pictures on black paper. Make a poster to remind people about keeping pets indoors around this time. Have a dark evening and some indoor fireworks. Make a Guy Fawkes from old clothes and stuffed with newspapers.
Take it further: Hold a campfire and toast marshmallows. Have a leader set off fireworks, or have sparklers. Act out the story of Guy Forks. Take it outside, and combine it with a bonfire evening.
5th November – Tar Barrels
In the town of Ottery St Mary in Devon, there is a custom, originated in the 17th century which involves people racing through the streets of the town, carrying flaming wooden barrels of burning tar on their backs.
Activities: Have a mock Tar Barrels evening; decorate a small tub to look like a flaming Tar Barrel. Race around your meeting place, or create an obstacle course to tackle while carrying the barrel. Make a poster about fire safety on Bonfire night.
Take it further: Find out what to do if your clothing were to catch fire, and practise the stop, drop and roll. Visit a Fire Station and learn about Bonfire Safety
Badge Links: Brownies Fire safety
Hedgehog Hotels
An important ritual on the day before lighting a bonfire is to make sure no hedgehogs have curled up to hibernate underneath the piles of wood.
Activities: Make a hedgehog hotel in a corner of your garden, meeting place or park. Learn what food to put out to feed hedgehogs if you find one in your garden.
Take it further: Visit a Hedgehog Sanctuary or raise money for one.
11th November -
The 11th November and Remembrance Sunday (when the 11th is not a Sunday) are days to commemorate those who gave their lives for their country in both world wars, and in conflicts since. The treaty of peace for World War 1 was signed on the 11 November 1918 at Compiègne in France. In London, the Queen, Prime Minister and other dignitaries lay wreaths and observe a minute's silence. Around the country, Guides, Scouts and other organisations join together in their community to remember those who gave their lives.
Activities: Attend your local act of remembrance. Make poppies or a wreath to lay at your local war memorial. Try assembling the poppy blindfolded, or one handed to empathise with the injured service personal producing them.
Take it further: Invite your local British Legion, Army, Navy or RAF representative to come and talk to the unit. Do some fundraising for a military support fund like the Poppy fund.
Web Links: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
BBC Children In Need
This is an annual event to raise money for British children's charities, culminating in a televised fundraising event on the Friday night, in the middle of November.
Activities: Get involved; there is normally a theme publicised a few months before. Apply for a fundraising pack and run a cake sale, sponsored event, dressing up or collections.
Take it further: Apply to take your unit to your local televised activities. Get a giant cheque and present your fundraising to your local television production live on air.
30th November -
St. Andrew’s Day is regarded as Scotland’s national day.
Activities: Colour in the Scotland flag, and know how it fits into the Union Flag
Other ideas for November
Diwali
Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
Birth Stone: Citrine
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