Tag: november

Alex’s Birthday Grove

So, November is here, whether we like it or not. Which means it’s officially Autumn and Winter will soon be here (no, we’re not talking about the C word!)

November for me has always been greeted with a mixture of feelings; I dislike the fact it’s getting cold, I dislike that it’s getting darker at night and less hours in the day – although sometimes I don’t mind the early dark nights – but I love the colours on the trees.

But, there is one thing that is ‘personal’ about November…

November, is also the month I was born! It’s my birthday!

And this year, I’m doing something very different; I’m planting trees!

Okay, so, technically, I won’t be the one physically planting them. But after moving to Inverness (you can read about that here and here) I came across a great charity that is planting trees to re-wild the Highlands; Trees for Life.

Up on the Highlands of Scotland used to be a vast forest; the Caledonian Forest, spanning the right across, with only select areas now remaining. Trees for Life is an ambitious, award-winning conservation charity that is rewilding the Scottish Highlands, planting trees and encoraging wildlife to return.

So, rather than writing a wish list full of new books, DVDs, music, things for my new flat, tech, etc, for my birthday, I set up a website on Trees of Life for people to consider donating a small fee to this Grove to help rewild Scotland, restoring balance to the ecosystem and combating CO2 emissions. I have already paid to have one tree planted, each new tree is only £6!

Click here to donate to Alex’s Birthday Grove

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I also recently had my hair cut off for charity! Read about it here!

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Remember, Remember, the 5th of November…

…The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason,
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!

(Rhyme found on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot_in_popular_culture)

This is one of the Rhyme that has accompanied the Guy Fawkes Night festivities over the years.

But who is Guy Fawkes? And why is there a day to remember him?

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(https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/273258/remembering-guy-fawkes-and-the-gunpowder-plot/)

I’ll keep this blog post short, so in order to get it published on the actual day (5th of November), so unfortunately I won’t be delving too deeply into this one. The majority of this, most people will know, at least those from the UK.

In 1605, Guy Fawkes, a member of the English Roman Catholics, and a group of others, conspired to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

The reason for this ‘plot’ was because a few years ago, Queen Elizabeth I, who had recently died, wasn’t very tolerant of the Catholic religion. And it was hoped the new King; King James I, would be.

Apparently not.

So, Guy Fawkes and 12 others, proposed the ‘Gunpowder Plot’.

The plan started with renting lodging close to the Houses of Paliament, in the hope to tunnel through to the buildings. But due to the thick walls (because, of course, the River Thames was so close) this wasn’t possible.

But the men were somehow able to acquire a cellar within the Houses of Parliament and they smuggled, over time, 36 barrels of gunpowder.

The gunpowder was to be ignited by a long fuse, which would be lit by Guy Fawkes.

The plot was discovered by an anonymous letter sent to Lord Montague, a House of Lords at the time. This letter was only meant to save the Lord himself.

However, on the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes was found in the cellar, along with the 36 barrels of gunpowder and equipment to light them and arrested.

Unforutnately for Mr Fawkes, he was tortured and hanged a few years later.

Over 400 years later this little piece of history is still remembered. Many people in the UK, residents and large event organisers let off fireworks to celebrate this day.

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Firework display over London’s River Thames (photo from: https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/attractions/bonfire-night-fireworks-2019-london-best-displays-a4278811.html)

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If you liked this blog post, you may also like:

Samhain, All Hallows Eve and Ghost Stories – Halloween Special!
Douglas, South Lanarkshire – A Hidden Gem
Best places to visit in South Lanarkshire

Also, don’t forget to check out my written works!
New Story idea! – Butterfly House
Rose Garden Sanatorium – Prologue
Ender’s Love – Chapter 1