I always think of bonfire night when we get to this time of year. As with conkers, bonfire night is just not the same these days.
When I was a kid we spent weeks stashing wood, doors, old furniture, anything combustible, ready for the big event. I made the effort to do Penny for the Guy too, it was boss, used to sit outside rough arse boozers in Huyton such as The Eagle & Child or The Oak Tree and make a fortune.
Nowadays, kids just aren't interested unless it involves letting off fireworks into peoples houses or shops.
Although years ago a rival gang set robbed all our wood when we at home having our tea. A revenge attack was planned by us, so I emptied everything from under our kitchen sink, aerosols, turps, my mums nail remover, you name it, I threw it all into a carrier bag and tied it up. We then sneaked over to the park where they were having the bonfire, totally oblivious to the parents and kids stood enjoying themselves, threw the bag on and legged it.
It was like a scene from Hiroshima, windows rattled, women and kids screaming and running in all directions and the fire brigade called to the scene.