Guy Fawkes Night on Tristan da Cunha
Report from Kelly Green with photos by Julia Gunther
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November..."
The familiar words echoed in the cool evening air as the sun slipped quietly behind the volcano. Although there was no official island celebration this year, the spirit of Guy Fawkes Night* was alive and well across Tristan da Cunha. From the settlement to the edges of the island, small groups of families and friends gathered to make their own fires and celebrate in true Tristan style.
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| Guy on the bonfire | |
All day, people had been preparing. Old clothes were stuffed with wool and hay, carefully shaped into homemade "Guys" that stood proudly beside each fire. Some were funny, some spooky, all stitched together with laughter and imagination. Children dashed about helping to gather flax, old crate boards, and bits of wood anything that would burn bright against the night sky.
As darkness settled, one by one, little flickers of orange began to appear across the island. Fires came to life near fences, gardens, and open spaces, their flames dancing and crackling in the cold air. The scent of wood smoke carried on the wind, mingling with the distant sound of laughter and chatter. From afar, you could see the volcano silhouetted against the night ,tiny pinpoints of fire glowing like scattered stars across its slopes.
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| Watching the bonfire and having fun down by the Big Watron | |
Later in the evening, as the fires burned low, some people joined up for barbecues and nibbles. Smoke curled gently into the night sky, carrying the scent of grilled meat and the hum of easy conversation. It was the kind of night that reminded everyone what makes Tristan da Cunha special, a place where even small gatherings feel full of warmth, laughter, and connection.
Enjoying the afterglow.
So, although this year’s Guy Fawkes Night wasn't an official event, it became something even more memorable: a night of homemade fun, shared stories, and glowing fires that bound the island together.
* For non-British readers: The 5th of November is when bonfires are lit to commemorate the foiled "Gunpowder Plot" led by Guy Fawkes to blow up King James I and the House of Lords in 1605. Guy Fawkes was the first of the conspirators to be arrested.
Pictures of Halloween 2025 on Tristan
Photos by Julia Gunther
Trick or treating in the American fashion at Halloween is a relatively recent innovation on Tristan, but is certainly popular among the island's children (and adults too). Here we have a selection pictures taken as the children went round the settlement in fancy dress. Well done everyone!
The children in their Halloween costumes with their mums.
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| Baby Halloween Pumpkin | Two of the scarier characters |
Keeping the superheroes under control.
Children and mums doing the rounds.
Anne Green (above) and Iris Green (below) handing out treats
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| Eyes down for treats at Cedric Swain's Lorraine Repetto's houses | |
Everybody's happy!
The lane is full of little people.
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| The table is set for the children's party - but where to start? | |
Death Notice for Gerry Repetto
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We regret to report the death of Gerry Repetto, who passed away in the morning of Thursday 2nd October 2025, aged 80 years. Gerald Stanley Repetto was Born 26th August 1945, the fifth child of Joe and May Repetto. He married fellow islander Rosemary Hagan in Cape Town in 1990, were they lived for a while. They then moved to Australia where their son Cameron was born in 1991. Gerry spent much of his adult life overseas, including the UK, but returned to live permanently on Tristan in 2005. Our sincere condolences go to Gerry's sisters Yvonne Glass, Maureen Green and Joy Stoffberg, his son Cameron, and his wider family. We expect to publish a full obituary in due course. |
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Next Annual Gathering |
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| The next Tristan da Cunha Annual Gathering will be in Southampton on Saturday 7th March 2026. 25-Sep-2025 |
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Kelly Green's September 2025 Report from Tristan |
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| Including fishing, Agulhas visit and a starry night 20-Sep-2025 |
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Death Notice for Darren Repetto |
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| Death notice for Tristan da Cunha islander Darren Repetto, who passed away 6th September 2025, aged 56. 15-Sep-2025 |
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Death Notice for Amy Green |
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| Death notice for Tristan da Cunha islander Amy Green, who passed away 3rd September 2025, aged 88. 15-Sep-2025 |
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Death Notice for Isobel Swain |
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| Death notice for Tristan da Cunha islander Isobel Swain, who passed away on the 13th August 2025, aged 96. 25-Aug-2025 |
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- August 2025 Newsletter (9-Aug-2025) >>
- Page Updated: How the TDCA works (4-Aug-2025) >>
- Christening of Hope Lisa Margaret Repetto (1-Jul-2025) >>
- Death Notice for Eric Glass, known as Little Eric (30-Jun-2025) >>
- Tristan da Cunha Annual Gathering 2025 (29-Apr-2025) >>
- Death Notice for Gladys Lavarello (15-Apr-2025) >>