Tonight is Bonfire Night, and we’re looking back on how the event has been marked in Cumbria over the years.

Guy Fawkes at the 2005 Fireshow at Bitts Park, CarlisleGuy Fawkes at the 2005 Fireshow at Bitts Park, Carlisle (Image: Stewart Blair)
Traditionally known as Guy Fawkes Night, it is an annual commemoration observed on November 5 involving bonfires and fireworks displays.
 It stems from the events of November 5, 1605, when Guy Fawkes, who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords.

A Guy Fawkes competition in Carlisle in 1972A Guy Fawkes competition in Carlisle in 1972 (Image: CN archive)
The Catholic plotters had intended to assassinate Protestant King James I and members of his parliament. To celebrate the King’s survival, people lit bonfires around London. Months later, the Observance of 5th November Act mandated an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot’s failure.

Firework display at Carlisle's Bonfire Night in 1993Firework display at Carlisle's Bonfire Night in 1993 (Image: Newsquest)
Ahead of Bonfire Night in 2010, staff and residents of Bupa care homes were asking Cumbrians to raid their wardrobes for donations as they gathered old clothes and materials to make a dummy Guy Fawkes. They appealed to local community groups to contact them if they wanted the Bupa Guy for their own celebrations.

Cumbria Police staged Operation Roman Candle to crack down on anti-social behaviour with fireworks Cumbria Police staged Operation Roman Candle to crack down on anti-social behaviour with fireworks (Image: Newsquest)
Siobhan Drane, Bupa’s community affairs manager, said: “We want to donate our Guys to local community groups this year, so they can take pride of place on bonfires across the UK.
“This is something our staff and residents can really get involved with, from making the Guy to collecting clothes donated by friends and families, choosing what the Guy should wear or adding the finishing touches. But more than anything, everyone would love it if our Guys can be part of a community bonfire.”

A firework display at Dalton United Football Club A firework display at Dalton United Football Club (Image: Newsquest) Elise Kershaw, two, from Barrow with a sparklerElise Kershaw, two, from Barrow with a sparkler (Image: Newsquest)

Altogether, more than 100 care homes were offering to make Guys as part of their November 5 celebrations, alongside designing edible gingerbread Guys and making decorations.

Crowds at the fireworks at DaltonCrowds at the fireworks at Dalton (Image: Newsquest)
Other pictures show Bonfire Nights in Carlisle, Hawcoat Park and at Dalton United Football Club, along with a firework safety campaign by Cumbria Police.

Bonfire Night at the cricket club in Carlisle in 1975 (Image: Newsquest)