I remember Guy Fawkes Nights from when I used to live in England. Not sure what the practice in Headington is but where we were the whole town used to gather in a large field where we’d build enormous bonfires with our friends and family. It was a contest to see who could build the largest fire. We’d put scarecrows on top of them (Guy Fawkes, perhaps? Not sure) before we’d set them ablaze. Then we’d set off fireworks and eat baked potatoes and cans of beans that were cooked in the fires. Come to think of it, it’s a rather strange tradition…

And yes, your pub-crawlers were likely looking for monetary donations with which to buy fireworks (another tradition).

Remember, remember the 5th of November!