Penny for the Guy
A traditional guy fawkes for the bonfire is made by stuffing a set of clothes with newspaper or dry straw and a wooden frame.
Dressed up to look as much like a bearded 17th century terrorist as possible, a wooden pole and crossbeam are used like in a scarecrow to keep the guy in shape.
Children who had made a guy would often stand on street corners with their creations in the week before bonfire night asking passers buy for a "penny for the guy." This was a very popular tradition that died out rather suddenly in the 1980s.
When I made guys in the mid 1970s we knew to recite the following poem to be extra sure of getting a penny or two.
Remember, remember
The fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Must ever be forgot.
The Guy Fawkes effigy was burned on bonfire night along with a fireworks display and a good party. We used to collect the wood ourselves and even help set off the fireworks. Apparently it is against the law for kids these days to even look at a firework without adult supervision.
If you are going to build a Guy yourself, remember to be careful with bonfires and remeber not to stuff your guy with plastics or other environmentally dangerous materials.
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