‘’Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot; for there is a reason why gunpowder and treason should ne’er be forgot.”

The 5th November is a day of historical remembrance. It celebrates the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 when Guy Fawkes and fellow conspirators planned to blow up the House of Lords. Over the years it has grown in popularity and become an evening enjoyed by adults and children alike. There is nothing better than standing around a blazing fire, while gazing up at the sky and admiring an intricate firework display. Whether you are planning a big bonfire bonanza or a small, cosy, intimate campfire this year, Nene Valley Firewood has you covered with tips, tricks and products to make your Bonfire Night an evening to remember.

Safety Tips

  • Safe Location – make sure that your bonfire and fireworks are in an open, clear area well away from buildings, trees, and other flammable materials.

  • Build a Barrier – create a barrier around the bonfire to prevent people and animals from getting too close. Use bricks, logs, or wire mesh to establish a protective perimeter.

  • Check for Wildlife – before lighting the bonfire, carefully inspect it for any hiding animals or birds. Look under and around the pile using a torch to help.

  • Avoid Early Building – ideally, build the bonfire on the same day as your event to minimise the risk of animals seeking shelter inside it.

  • Don’t Use Accelerants – never use accelerants like gasoline or lighter fluid to start the fire. Use kindling and firelighters instead.

  • Stack Safely – stack the bonfire carefully, ensuring it is stable and unlikely to collapse

  • Burn Only Suitable Materials -only burn dry, untreated wood. Avoid burning items that could release toxic fumes or explode.

  • Supervise the Area – assign someone sensible to keep an eye on the bonfire area throughout the evening to ensure it remains safe.

  • Water Source – keep a hose or buckets of water nearby in case of emergencies.

What You Need To Start Your Bonfire

Taking the above safety precautions into consideration, we have listed below the 3 most essential components to get your fire off to a roaring start:

1. Kindling £6

Although tempting, gathering kindling type wood from your garden isn’t going to get your fire started very easily. Dry timber is really important for a clean hot burn.  Our kindling consists of kiln-dried softwood so you rest assured that your fire will light promptly.

2. Firelighters £6

Having learnt that accelerants should not be used to start your bonfire, we would recommend our odourless, eco firelighters which are made from virgin softwood and natural vegetable wax . They are quick to light and you’ll only need a couple to get started.

3. Dry Timber - From £90

Dry timber is really important to guaranteeing a long-lasting and warm burn without excessive smoke or hazardous sparks. Our economy firewood would be perfect to use on a bonfire, it is a cheaper alternative to using our standard logs, but is still kiln-dried hardwood ensuring a hot, clean burn. 

Quick Guide To Starting Your Bonfire

Follow our step by step guide on how to light the perfect Bonfire: 

  1. Place a bundle of kindling in the centre of the firewood with a couple of firelighters, and ignite the firelighters using long matches or a long lighter to avoid leaning over the fire.
  2. When the fire grows over time, gradually add more kindling until the fire is burning strongly. 
  3. When you have a fully established fire, start adding larger logs to the fire, without blocking the air flow. 

Other Products

Nets – From £110

If you have a smaller campfire or fire pit in mind for the 5th November, then our nets would be ideal, they can be bought in smaller quantities and are packed full of high-quality kiln-dried hardwood logs, ensuring a long lasting, warm flame to huddle around.

Fire Bowl – From £250

For the more intimate bonfire a fire bowl is an effective, aesthetic and convenient way of celebrating Bonfire Night without the hassle of collecting a huge amount of firewood and needing a large space to burn. It also prevents wildlife setting up camp in if you set the fire up that evening!

Creating a Night to Remember

Creating a night to remember not only relies on a burning bonfire, but the atmosphere and food are a big  part of celebrating the night and creates a warm buzz around the fire. There are a few ways we think would add to the atmosphere on the night:

  1. Creating Ambience: Seating areas, at a safe distance from the fire, can promote conversation and a feeling of cosiness on the night. 
  2. Pizzas:  pizzas are a social food, and Delivita pizza ovens and pizza logs ensure that the perfect pizza is within reach. There is nothing better than sitting around a fire while sharing a delicious, crispy base pizza that you have lovingly created. 
  3. Beverages: Warming beverages such as hot chocolate, mulled wine and spiced cider, warm the soul and are the perfect drinks to enjoy while gathering around a Bonfire.
  4. Snacks: Toffee apples and s’mores are the perfect sweet treat for kids and adults to indulge in and are a lot of fun to create and eat.

Bonfire night is fun for all the family, but it is important to prioritise the safety of others and the environment so it is a memorable night where family and friends come together to enjoy the 5th November!