Squibbing

An ancient fireworks tradition at the annual Bridgwater Carnival.

The word 'squib' has, over the years, been used to refer loosely to any of a variety of fireworks. It has been imprecisely applied to bangers, roman candles and mines, and even to a type of firework which used to be applied to sooty chimneys to loosen the worst of the deposits before the sweep pushed up his brushes.

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The town of Bridgwater in Somerset though, knows only one type of squib.Squibbing is permanently commemorated in the statue 'Spirit of Carnival' and it's history is explained on the plaque:

Crowds line the High St. The squibbers line up in preparation.

A line of fire is ignited down the middle of the street to enable the squibs to be lit.

"For centuries, on 5th November, the townsfolk of Bridgwater gathered around a bonfire, sited here on the Cornhill to celebrate the failure of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Throughout the course of the evening the revellers would light their home-made Squibs and make merry around the flames of the bonfire and so the famous Bridgwater Carnival was born."

The squibs are lit.

All of the squibs are alight and spectacular pyrotechnics light up the street.

"The last bonfire was lit in 1924 but the Bridgwater Squibs still play an important role in the carnival celebrations when a large simultaneous squibbing display brings the festivities to a sparkling, spectacular close."

One by one, the squibs reach the end of their burning time.

the last one to stay alight wins a trophy

The holder of the last squib to stay alight is awarded the Pariah Cup.

Each squib is attached to the end of a stout pole. When fully alight the assembly, known as a 'cosh' is held aloft. The double line of squibs - usually well over a hundred - form a spectacular parade of pyrotechnics.

Spirit of Carnival statue by Dave Faulks

Statue 'Spirit of Carnival', sculpted by Dave Faulks to celebrate the centuries of Carnival and squibbing.

Bridgwater Carnival is just one of the amazing Guy Fawkes or Illuminated Carnivals

Squibbing is the sensational finale to the Bridgwater Carnival, which is just one of the many illuminated carnivals of the South East.

Hundreds of spectacularly lit floats parade through the towns of Somerset and neighbouring counties.

Read more about the Guy Fawkes carnivals here on fireworks.co.uk, on GuyFawkesCarnivals and more about squibbing on the Bridgwater Carnival website.

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