tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post1852148466427344812..comments2024-02-13T07:39:19.810+01:00Comments on Being Here: Plot Night and Parkin PigsArtyZenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-28456770427054414712016-11-09T23:59:16.979+01:002016-11-09T23:59:16.979+01:00Have just bought a pig cutter from Loose's sho...Have just bought a pig cutter from Loose's shop in Norwich. They have large and small cutters. Born in Holywell Green. Yorkshire. I remember Bonfire night in 1938. Then no more until November 1945. Baked potatoes in the ashes of the bonfireAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-864872377510863632016-11-04T00:57:27.638+01:002016-11-04T00:57:27.638+01:00I am 84. .my mother always made parkin pigs and bo...I am 84. .my mother always made parkin pigs and bonfire toffee. she was brought up on Lindly Moor and went to Outlane school in 1900sAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-79769374882436990742015-11-07T10:26:31.683+01:002015-11-07T10:26:31.683+01:00Thank you for the gingerbread recipe. I was feeli...Thank you for the gingerbread recipe. I was feeling nostalgic for my Yorkshire childhood this year and decided to make Parkin Pigs. I bought two pig cutters; one from eBay which was far too small (so I made Parkin Piglets aswell). The cutter which I got from Amazon seems to be the most realistic size and shape to what I remember as a child in Bradford.<br />http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01266016419007039711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-54671322176047488772015-10-21T10:51:29.811+02:002015-10-21T10:51:29.811+02:00Hi Annie! I was looking into Guy Fawkes night and ...Hi Annie! I was looking into Guy Fawkes night and Parkin Pigs and found your blog post! I grew up in Germany & the U.S. but live in Japan now so I'm always missing the holiday goodies from home too. I was wondering - I'm working on an online recipe sharing community (called Cookpad) and trying to put together a little collection of recipes for Guy Fawkes night :) Would you be Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-59413768616704281582015-01-22T21:29:43.696+01:002015-01-22T21:29:43.696+01:00I just wonder if, the Parkin Pig being so local, i...I just wonder if, the Parkin Pig being so local, it was owt to do with the Bradford symbol of the wild boar? Wouldn't surprise me.Zola the Gorgonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07569877587588044249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-90518706278983408552015-01-22T21:25:57.272+01:002015-01-22T21:25:57.272+01:00We used to call call collecting wood, 'chumpi...We used to call call collecting wood, 'chumping' in Manningham (Bradford) and we also had mushy peas, sausages, Plot toffee and toffee apples to eat and of course our potatoes were baked in the embers of the bonfire built in the middle of the street. Later, the spuds, black and ashy, would be split pen and Mum would put a dollop of butter in the middle.<br />My Dad could never get the Zola the Gorgonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07569877587588044249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-89689086911295346832013-11-08T16:22:16.160+01:002013-11-08T16:22:16.160+01:00Thank you Ayak! I think both Perpetua and I are ve...Thank you Ayak! I think both Perpetua and I are very lucky to have good memories of Bonfire Night. <br />This recipe is for crunchy ginger biscuits, rather than bread. Nothing like parkin, if you've ever had that. But delicious none the less. I had to make them without ginger this year as I'd run out....but we put lots of mixed spice, lemon zest and cinnamon and they were almost as good. ArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-19770082909415395892013-11-08T13:52:29.328+01:002013-11-08T13:52:29.328+01:00I did enjoy that post Annie and your memories of 5...I did enjoy that post Annie and your memories of 5th November. It was good to compare it with Perpetua's memories too.<br /><br />I've been wanting to make some gingerbread for a while so am glad you posted a recipe xAyakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903896106779269050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-28464012902119662482013-11-06T08:04:06.021+01:002013-11-06T08:04:06.021+01:00We made biscuits last night but to my shame, I'...We made biscuits last night but to my shame, I'd run out of ginger! We had to improvise with lemon, mixed spice and cinnamon....and what you say about smell. Penny, is absolutely right. It's a powerful sense and it's incredible what it can conjure up even in memory!<br />AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-50411171558328261932013-11-05T23:54:13.647+01:002013-11-05T23:54:13.647+01:00Such wonderful memories to share, Annie. Thank you...Such wonderful memories to share, Annie. Thank you, and for the recipe as well. They sound so mellow. <br />We have sparklers here as well, on July 4th, and you remind me of them here and their unique smell. So much of our memories are tied to our sense of smell. This one surely is. Penny O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14665025558373015362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-79010163118188215522013-11-05T14:20:27.475+01:002013-11-05T14:20:27.475+01:00Phew...I felt a little under pressure to provide s...Phew...I felt a little under pressure to provide some 'proper' history as you made me realise how very vague I am about it all! But the smell is the thing that really brings it all back, isn't it!<br />It's been a long and at time very tough year, hasn't it? You have really done so incredibly well. It's fitting that there should be spectacular fireworks to celebrate it allArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-49419702305408882352013-11-05T12:24:18.308+01:002013-11-05T12:24:18.308+01:00Annie.....chronology, dates, Kings.....some excell...Annie.....chronology, dates, Kings.....some excellent background......perfect ! And then, to add the icing, a recipe and fabulous description of plot night. I have loved reading different versions of 5Nov. North London didn't vary that much from Bradford, or Perpetua's Lancashire memories....finding the cat before nightfall was always my memory......he had usually escaped, or hidden, andJanicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05449652020751269674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-57317716638373789422013-11-05T12:17:42.308+01:002013-11-05T12:17:42.308+01:00I do understand Mums not being fans of fireworks, ...I do understand Mums not being fans of fireworks, Chrissie...mind you, round here, the organised fireworks seem more dangerous than the diy type! <br />I think it's a really good idea to have been given a choice - being a book lover and enjoyer of what goes on around me, you really did pick the win-win choice in my opinion. <br />AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-78170152619989871302013-11-05T11:27:44.887+01:002013-11-05T11:27:44.887+01:00Very interesting post, thank you for the recipe wi...Very interesting post, thank you for the recipe will have to try it. My Mum wasn't really a fan of fireworks, we had a few, mainly sparklers but as we grew older she offered us a choice of fireworks or a new book. I didn't hesitate and always went for the book then watched from the window at the displays of others, win win!Chrissiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13613570629230619992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-38117938554277271402013-11-05T10:18:48.495+01:002013-11-05T10:18:48.495+01:00Now that's interesting, Edric - North Yorkshir...Now that's interesting, Edric - North Yorkshire links! I am so envious that you have a pig cutter. Yes, always currants for eyes....enjoy your pigs! Happy Plot Night too. AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-17762452162174790432013-11-05T09:52:28.257+01:002013-11-05T09:52:28.257+01:00Came here after googling "Plot Night" - ...Came here after googling "Plot Night" - which is what my Granny always called Guy Fawkes' Night (she was from North Yorkshire) - my wife had never heard the phrase, so I wasn't sure how widespread it was. I have my own parkin pig cutter, and a box of pigs next to me now. Don't forget the currants for eyes!Edrichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14994629947632695100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-75892719911960343142013-11-05T08:42:20.366+01:002013-11-05T08:42:20.366+01:00Lemony sounds good....I almost bought some sugar c...Lemony sounds good....I almost bought some sugar cane honey to make mine with last night because I'd missed the English shop - they open English hours too, believe it or not! But decided to wait to get the 'real' thing. And I'm beginning to think we should all have at least one pig cutter....I had underestimated their importance in life. AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-80793029122824964702013-11-05T08:40:09.495+01:002013-11-05T08:40:09.495+01:00We did have plot toffee, when my Granny made it, N...We did have plot toffee, when my Granny made it, Nilly - proper Yorkshire stuff - and of course we did Mischief Night!! You are also quite right about Guy being from York....but I can't say that they know about Parkin Pigs in York as these seem very local to the Leeds/Bradford/Halifax area. There's a man in Hebden Bridge (you reading, Janice?) called Andrew Lane of Crow Pie - who seemed ArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-60779833694886744932013-11-05T01:07:26.227+01:002013-11-05T01:07:26.227+01:00What - no plot toffee?
I was introduced to the joy...What - no plot toffee?<br />I was introduced to the joys of the Yorkshire Bonfire Night by my lovely ex-mother-in-law who made fantastic parkin and light, crispy, melt-in-the-mouth plot toffee.<br />Did you do Mischief Night too? Another Yorkshire tradition unknown in the South. I believe Guy Fawkes was from York so no wonder they do it best up here!nillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09733433402466612700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-72114345628924144092013-11-04T21:38:40.186+01:002013-11-04T21:38:40.186+01:00Very lemony! And it is decidedly thick....
To my s...Very lemony! And it is decidedly thick....<br />To my shame, I do not have a pig cutter.....Helen Devrieshttp://asurfeitofpalfreys.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-69067249298022241622013-11-04T20:34:21.778+01:002013-11-04T20:34:21.778+01:00Yes, the smell always did it for me...
Wondering a...Yes, the smell always did it for me...<br />Wondering about how imitation golden syrup smells? Make sure you use lots of ginger just to be on the safe side! Do you have a pig cutter though, that is the question? All the best. AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-29906434538431790232013-11-04T19:41:45.104+01:002013-11-04T19:41:45.104+01:00Mentioning the smell brought it all right back!
W...Mentioning the smell brought it all right back! <br />Wasn't it fun before it all became organised and regimented.<br /><br />I shall try the pig recipe not least as my beloved husband - not content with imitating Marmite - has presented me with a saucepan full of his imitation golden syrup on my return from San Jose.<br />I shall have to use it to be able to use the saucepan again....Helen Devrieshttp://asurfeitofpalfreys.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-46257199430600914562013-11-04T19:26:29.809+01:002013-11-04T19:26:29.809+01:00You are too kind! It used to be a big family thing...You are too kind! It used to be a big family thing and over the years, turned into more organised events but I have a suspicion that Halloween will eventually eclipse it completely...and yes, I know Halloween started here, but it grew much bigger on the other side of the pond, didn't it?! There are the beginnings of it all here now in Spain...but not Bonfire Night. Never mind. AxxxArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-32313576238566490142013-11-04T19:00:12.916+01:002013-11-04T19:00:12.916+01:00As an American living in England for well over 30 ...As an American living in England for well over 30 years now, I've watched the tradition of Guy Fawkes night slowly fading away -- we hear the occasional firework going off, but no bonfires in the back yard. So I've found your post very illuminating -- many thanks...The Broadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04976467218216864644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6222502286514724902.post-58951408143671222782013-11-04T10:26:59.649+01:002013-11-04T10:26:59.649+01:00Thank you Perpetua! My cousin's wife, in Austr...Thank you Perpetua! My cousin's wife, in Australia, has just told me that they used to celebrate Bonfire Night over there but now fireworks are banned, other than organised events, and it's dying out a bit. Interesting that the custom was taken over though. I did find a few folk who still say Plot Night but again, it's not widely used. Do try the biscuits - they make excellent ArtyZenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12628693178003940118noreply@blogger.com