大象传媒

1957: Is it right to give Penny for the Guy?

The Bonfire Night tradition of children creating Guy Fawkes dummies to burn has lasted for generations.

Children would stuff old clothes with newspaper, and wheelbarrow their effigy around while asking adults to donate a "penny for the Guy".

The money was supposed to be used to buy fireworks, but as the 大象传媒 found out in this report, sometimes the funds were diverted for other purposes.

For one woman, Bonfire Night celebrations were starting earlier every year and she was not happy at all.

"If the parents love their children that much, they should have home rights and they should give them sufficient pocket money to go out and enjoy that one night, not to start Guy Fawksing about at the end of August," she said.

"It's definitely all wrong; it isn't funny anymore."

Note: The sound quality of this clip is at times poor

Originally broadcast 26 October 1957

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