The Center for
Fawkesian Pursuits is dedicated to finding alternatives to mass marketed
folklore that help to transform spectators into practitioners of folk
arts and celebration. We believe that this is the most important way to
preserve, extend and safeguard folk traditions- in the Minds, Voices and
Cultural Life ways of the people. Active, meaningful transmission of folkways and
celebrations compliments collection and publication to make sure that as
much as is possible is being done to keep traditions alive and
prospering; growing and developing.
While simple performance and commercial presentations
can also be effective there is no substitute for cultivating communities
and individuals who will live these traditions and believe in them througout their daily lives from
season to season. While we respect and celebrate the work of highly
trained professionals the work of preservation and growing of our folk
traditions is the work of ordinary people of all walks of life and all
cultural backgrounds. We simply need to design events and opportunities
with this in mind. These traditions are for everyone.
Please join us in our work. We no longer do
mass community celebrations having completed that phase of our model. We
are available to assist others with their celebrations providing that
attention is paid to detail.
To learn about our philosophy view a short
presentation
Click Here
For the Center for Fawkesian Pursuits Bonfire Society (Guy Fawkes Celebrations)
Click Here
For a major sponsor Hutman Productions
Click Here Find out how to
help- click
here to send us an e.mail
The Center
ForFawkesian Pursuits Bonfire Society
-A Non-Commercial Division of Hutman Productions-
The Only Bonfire Society in North America
Join us for our Celebration of Guy Fawkes Day In Baltimore
Maryland Each Year!
FREE!
Welcome!
The Center For Fawkesian Pursuits is dedicated to the
celebration of the Fifth of November worldwide! There is no reason it should
be forgot! By anyone, anywhere! Learn about our activities via the main
menu below. Click for Main Menu A Fawkesian Celebration NEW!
Visit our Fawkes Store for wonderful Plot related
items! Great Gifts -Help support our work! Just
clickit here!
Main Menu: The Center For Fawkesian Pursuits Bonfire Society is Dedicated to the concept that no matter what year, what
age, what people, or what place-
We See NO reason that the 5th of November Shall EVER
be forgot! By anyone! Any where! For Any reason! Join us in the enrichment, encouragement and celebration
of the triumph of law over tyranny. Good and democracy over evil! and the
warmth of bonfire over the cold
and dark of night. Make your selection at right.
Logo of the C.F.P. Garnet's Straw
with Fawke's Signature on top
New!
View Videos of our celebration 2006! Check as they are added as they are
created!Click here
No
Faux Fawkes! Video Rideo!
Remember! Remember the 5th of November!
Organized
in 1993, the Center For Fawkesian Pursuits Bonfire Society is dedicated to the pursuit
of all things Fawkesian! We are dedicated to all things relating to the
Celebration of November 5 as Guy Fawkes Day. We also pursue the interpretation
of the history of the plot and the preservation of structures, sites, objects
and information related to it. We are a Bonfire Society. To the best
of our knowledge the first in North America.
Our missions
include the encouragement of the perpetuation and documentation of the
ancient Folk customs of the celebration and assistance of those who wish
to remember through celebration the bravery and circumstances described
by the history of the plot. We support no political groups nor do we wish
to sanction any terrorist act. Yet, it is our firm belief that the spirit
of Fawkes lives on in the soul of every free man, woman and child and that
it conditions our every relationship with government. We believe that while
this spirit survives that tyranny will never again come to dominate our
lives. We believe that the universality of the plot is uniquely reflected
by the fact of its discovery, and the divine intervention which saved both
king and parliament-that is the mother parliament of our American Congress.
Were it not for its discovery history would have taken a different turn.
The dominance of Roman Catholicism and the absolutism with which it has
been so closely associated, would have projected a profound tyranny.
This event would have placed the British Isles and its institutions
on the path to absolutism traveled by the other Catholic nations. So therefore
we celebrate the triumph of the King, State and Parliament just as
we celebrate the bravery of the plotters. Had the state not prevailed the
concept of separation of state and church as well as that of the constitutional
monarchy, the ancestor of contemporary Democracy might all never have come
to be. Had the concept of challenging of the government championed by the
plotters faded we would have never had the steps toward democracy brought
by the Glorious Revolution. We also, therefore, celebrate the eventual triumph
of William of Orange which occurred with his landing in England on November
5. For more on William of Orange and the Glorious Revolution which ended
forever the tyranny of absolutist rule in the British Isles and which was
founded upon the separation of church and state please contact our other
web pages click here. Let each
and every one take the time to light up the November evening sky with this
spirit in remembrance of the bravery of those who were prepared to risk
all for their beliefs and for their freedom. Let us, in their memory, detonate
the powder which their matches were kept from lighting as a symbol of our
ability to so challenge our institutions when called upon to do so. Let
us also give thanksgiving for the divine protection of the forerunner of
our democracy, :Parliament, King, and State. Let us also rejoice in the
changing of the seasons and in fellowship with one another as we give thanks
for our very being from one year to the next beside the Bonfire.
Composed in 1998 our Bonfire Prayer or Chant has been
designed to include all of the major aspects of bonfire celebration of
the 5th of November. It has been composed in the traditional style.
The Chant shall be performed with loud and hearty voices and shall
be followed by a toast giving thanks for our general deliverance from terror
in the past year and hope for the year to come.
Remember Remember
the fifth of November Gunpowder Treason
and Plot! We See no Reason
That Gunpowder Treason Ever should be Forgot! Remember, Remember,
that Pope’s Day in Boston Lead to the Liberty Tree! We See no reason
that Pope’s Day in Boston should be forgot by you or me! King Billy King
Billy Toss Us an Orange You came to set
us free! A Lemon a Lemon
for Bigoted James Our Proud constitution
he’ll not re-arrange! Holla! boys Holla!
boys, ring in the night (ring bells) Holla boys, Holla
boys burn fires bright (stomp) -The Official Chant/Prayer of the Center for
Fawkesian Pursuits Bonfire Society
Our new official Badge, pin, button and rosette! click
here for details.NEW!
Visit our Fawkes Store for wonderful Plot related
items! Great Gifts -Help support our work! Just
clickit here!
The Guy Fawkes List
Sure the plot does still go on Join In! This is
a good way for those involved in bonfire societies and study to keep in
touch and to coordinate plans and activities. They are free and easy
to join and leave.
The Guy Fawkes List is designed for general discussion of the Gunpowder
Plot and related research.
A new list has been created as of August 1999. The name of the list
is: guyfawkes.
You can subscribe for free by sending an e.mail message to us.
Click
here! Include your e.mail address in the message and "subscribe Guy
Fawkes list". You can also subscribe by contacting:
http://www.yahoogroups.com
Just click on the address and search for the list: Guy Fawkes. It may be
faster
to subscribe by contacting us.
If you are already subscribed click
here to send an e.mail to the list.
Back to the top of this page
click here
The Bonfire List
The Bonfire e.mail list is a more specialized designed for those involved
with bonfire societies worldwide. It is a good way to share information
and to keep in touch with one another. A good place to discuss the issues
and find suppliers,technicians and techniques as well. To subscribe
to the Bonfire Plot list send an e.mail by clicking
here. In the e.mail put your e.mail address and the sentence: please
subscribe Bonfire list. You can also search for and join the Bonfire
list at:
http://www.yahoogroups.com Just click
the address to go there. Those who join the list will have access to an
common upload area and a calendar for listing events of interest.
If you are already subscribed to Bonfire list click
here to send an e.mail to the list.
November 2006- A grand celebration was held in Linthicum at the center
headquarters for the first time the preparations were recorded in video. For the
second year in a row Conrad presented a phone interview via Rocket FM and we
were referred to in the commentary of the celebrations in lewes.
2006- We now
have a blog on blogspot.coml
2005- For the 400th we exchanged wood again with
Hastings borough bonfire society in England and this time exchanged beer as
well!
September 2004- We continue our research efforts. Our most recent
accomplishment has been the creation of a page with a transcription of the first
sermon commissioned to celebrate the deliverance in 1606.
September 2004- We
opened an on line store with loads of Fawkesian Plot Related items.
NEW!
Visit our Fawkes Store for wonderful Plot related
items! Great Gifts -Help support our work! Just
clickit here!
October 2002- Lots new this
year. Plays about Fawkes, new pages about how the effigy ritual changed over the
years, many many new images, a word find puzzle for kids, a virtual fireworks
page and much much more especially in the area of the celebrations in North
America known as Popes day.
October 2000 - A few new additions to the pages
concerned with written works which refer to the plot and celebration.
A
new
Publication- Bonfire Prayers Customs Recipes Songs and Chants
for Guy Fawkes Day has been
written
and
published by Conrad Bladey. This is a good short guide for
children and families who are
interested
in
learning how to celebrate.
Click here to order it.
August 1999- Progress is being made to establish
e.mail lists and to search for sources for tee shirts and badges.
Due
to
the loss of a server many links need to be re-established- an on
going process.
The
first
sermon read to James I concerning the Bonfire Plot has been
installed.
Soon
there
will
be a commentary on this. Future plans for a military section
are underway...
April 1999- The center brought its virtual bonfire
out to the Southern Maryland Celtic festival.
Hundreds learned about bonfire for the first time take a look New!
Virtual Bonfire
October 10, 1998- Conrad Bladey, Center
Director sent a piece of American Oak
an
official
proclamation and chant to the Hastings Borough Bonfire
Just
prior
to a procession through the American Ground the proclamation
was
formally
read out by a town crier. A wonderful photo was taken
by
Graham
George which shows bonfire chairman Keith Leech and
other
officials
presiding. Many thanks to Gerry Glenister for his
assistance.
We
are always glad to link up with other bonfire societies.
Wood from our bonfire is
presented by HBBS at the American Ground Hastings just before it went on the
bonfire we exchange wood with HBBS each year.
Organized
in 1993, the Center For Fawkesian Pursuits Bonfire Society is dedicated to the pursuit
of all things Fawkesian! We are dedicated to all things relating to the
Celebration of November 5 as Guy Fawkes Day. We also pursue the interpretation
of the history of the plot and the preservation of structures, sites, objects
and information related to it. We are a Bonfire Society. To the best
of our knowledge the first in North America.
