hose crazy Brits!

FUN AND QUIRKY EVENTS IN THE U.K. - NOVEMBER

BRIDGWATER GUY FAWKES CARNIVAL
When: 9 November 2007
Where: Bridgwater, Somerset
Time: 7pm
www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk
The procession takes place after dark and consists of over 80 brilliantly lit floats, with some containing 30,000 light bulbs. There are two different types of float - the ‘Tableaux’, in which the actors must stand completely still and silent until the procession is over and the ‘Features’ which involves non-stop music and dancing. When the procession ends at around 10pm there is a Squibbing Display. A long wooden pole is shouldered by various participants to whom a ‘Bridgwater Squib’ is attached. These are fireworks that are especially-made for the town and which burn with very high fountains of fire. The carnival is first held in Bridgwater and then the floats travel to the neighbouring towns and villages during the week.

CARRYING THE TAR BARRELS
When: 5 November 2007.
Where: Town centre, Ottery St Mary, Devon
Time: Starts 4pm
www.otterytourism.org.uk
On Guy Fawkes night, there is the ritual of carrying the blazing tar barrels, which dates back to 1688. Men carry the flaming barrels on their shoulders until the weight or heat becomes too much for them and another person takes over. This carries on until the barrels start to break up and then they are allowed to burn out. Preparation of the barrels and coating them with tar starts early in the year and some can weigh over 50 pounds (22.68 kg). A gigantic bonfire over 30 feet (10 metres) high and crowned with Guy Fawkes himself, forms an impressive background to the occasion together with a fairground and many other attractions.

BIGGEST LIAR IN THE WORLD COMPETITION
When: 15 November 2007 (always held on the third Thursday in November)
Where: Bridge Inn, Stanton Bridge, Holmrook, Cumbria
Time: 7pm (ticket only)
www.santonbridgeinn.com/liar
The World’s Biggest Liar Competition is a very popular contest to find the best ‘tall-storyteller’ and to award the title of ‘The Biggest Liar in the World.’ The ever-popular contest began in 1974 and continues to attract media attention from around the globe. Contestants travel great distances to pit their oral skills against an elite field of fibbers. There aren’t many rules to the competition, however politicians and lawyers aren’t welcome! Contestants must tell their 5-10 minute tall tales in front of the judges and the audience. Subjects vary from those based in reality, to some being very silly and downright daft! In recent years the audience has learned facts about how the Lake District was formed – not from the ice age or volcanic action – but by large moles and eels. There are also tales of mermaids and kings and of the Pope water-skiing on the back of the Queen Elizabeth II cruise ship! The event is held in memory of Will Kitson, a Cumbrian publican in the 19th century with a gift for telling tall stories.

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