Bonfire night in Lockdown - don't let your bonfire night go up in smoke!

GUY Fawkes Night will be different this year, but it can still be fun. And what better opportunity to teach your children about the origins of the celebration? Former Primary School Teacher, Catherine Lynch of education resource experts Plan Bee tells you how... Due to the new lockdown rules, only houses with adequate space will be able to have fireworks this year, and even then, that is in question. But most will be able to have a couple of packets of sparklers, delicious jacket potatoes and toasted marshmallows to eat, will lift the spirits of youngsters and adults alike. And this year is a great opportunity to make sure that your children know what this annual celebration is all about.

Did you know that..?

► Bonfire Night takes place on 5 November. On this night in 1605, Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators attempted, and failed, to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

► Do you know who Guy Fawkes was?  Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes, lived in an era when Britain was driven by terrible religious intolerance and violence between Protestants and Catholics.

► The Gunpowder Plot...  It was planned that Fawkes would light the fuse, get across the Thames and then escape to Europe. However, news of the plot was leaked. On 5 November 1605, Fawkes was discovered underneath the Houses of Parliament guarding the gunpowder. He was arrested and tortured.

► On 27 January 1606, Fawkes and 8 of the plotters stood trial. The jury found them all guilty and the men were killed on 31 January 1606.

► For years, the failed Gunpowder Plot was marked by bonfires, special sermons and public events like the ringing of church bells. Over time, Bonfire Night has become the more commercial celebration we have today, that now includes firework displays, funfairs and hot food like jacket potatoes.

5 fun Bonfire Night facts:-

1. Guy Fawkes was born on 13 April 1570. He died on 31 January 1606.

2. Guy Fawkes was Catholic. He didn't think a Protestant monarch should rule Britain.

3. There were 13 members of the Gunpowder Plot:- Robert Catesby, Thomas Wintour, Robert Wintour, John Wright, Christopher Wright, Thomas Percy, Guy Fawkes, Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everad Digby and Francis Tresham.

4. Fawkes was found with 36 barrels of gunpowder. There was enough gunpowder to reduce the Houses of Parliament to rubble.

5. An Act of Parliament named 5 November as a day of thanksgiving for the:- "joyful day of deliverance." This act was in force until 1859.

We would like to add, that if you do use your own fireworks, please follow the instructions and remember to check you have enough distance on all sides, not just between you and your family. Plus, remember you can not have others around and you must not set off the fireworks on public land. Always follow the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Firework Code. If you suspects someone is selling fireworks illegally should contact their local Council's Trading Standards via Citizens Advice on:- 03454 040506 and do not buy them.

Man arrested and fireworks and drugs recovered - Rock Ferry

AT around 4pm, on Friday, 30 October 2020, Merseyside Police carried out a warrant at an address in King Street, and recovered a significant amount of fireworks, cannabis and suspected cocaine, in Rock Ferry, Merseyside. Following the search, a 22 year old male, from Rock Ferry, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. He has been taken to a Police Station for questioning. we are told that an investigation is still ongoing and anyone with information is asked to get in touch, by calling:- 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on:- 0800555111.

Chief Inspector Peter Clark said:- "A large amount of fireworks and drugs, both with the potential to cause extreme harm, have been seized this evening and thankfully prevented from reaching our streets. We will continue to act upon all information from the public throughout the Halloween and Bonfire Night period and will take robust action where necessary. If you have information on the illegal storage or use of fireworks, the supply of drugs, or criminality in your area, please get in touch. We want to keep our communities safe, and put those intent on causing fear and harm before the Courts."

It is worth adding that should you suspects someone is selling fireworks illegally can contact your Local Council's Trading Standards, via Citizens Advice on:- 03454040506.

Appeal for witnesses after shots fired at house in West Derby

MERSEYSIDE Police have issued an appeal for information after shots were reported to have been fired at a house in West Derby at around 11.25am, on Saturday, 31 October 2020. We are told that Police Officers had received a report that the window of a house, located within Culme Road, West Derby, had been shot at. Officers then attended and damage consistent with a firearm being discharged was found. No one was injured during the incident. An investigation is underway and patrols remain in the area to carry out witness, CCTV and forensic enquiries. Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with Merseyside Police by calling:- 101 with the reference:- '20000660430.' You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800555111.

Detective Chief Inspector Cath Haggerty said:- "We are in the very early stages of an investigation following a firearms discharge this morning and will remain in the area to provide reassurance to the community and gather information. The use of weapons on our streets will not be tolerated and we know this will be an alarming incident for local residents. An extensive investigation will be carried out and we are determined to find the person responsible and remove firearms from our streets. If you saw or heard anything suspicious in Culme Road or the surrounding area, or may have captured home CCTV or dashcam footage, please come forward as any information could be vital to the investigation."