If you've found this blog and wondered what 'Lewes Bonfire' is all about, it's a bit hard to explain in brief. But here goes.
Every year on November 5th in Lewes there is a commemoration of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which Guy Fawkes and others are said to have tried to blow up parliament and King James 1.On 'Bonfire Night' Lewes also remembers the Protestant Martyrs of 1555 - 57 who were burnt at the stake on the High Street during the reign of 'Bloody Mary'.There are other aspects of remembrance that take place also, such as the laying of wreaths and a minute's silence at the town's War Memorial.
The aspect of Lewes Bonfire that the public sees and that gives it its fame are the costumed, torch-lit processions that take place throughout the evening, by the town's six bonfire societies. Each society fields up to 800 members in a procession, so you can perhaps imagine the sight. Or not - there is nothing like being there! The processions end with each society putting on a fantastic fireworks display and bonfire at their firesite, as well as various rituals such as the Archbishop's address, the burning of effigies and 'bonfire prayers'.
If you're interested to know more there's a huge amount of background info here. I'm a proud member of Commercial Square Bonfire Society, although very much an 'incomer', as the real bonfire families have connections with bonfire that go back several generations.
Something that isn't often reported is that Lewes Bonfire is not a spectacle, a show, but a commemoration, for and by Lewes people. Although it attracts huge crowds of spectators, it is not advertised or publicised, there are no sponsors and it not 'for profit'. The societies raise money for local charities on the night, but the enormous cost of the event is paid for by fundraising and members' subs.
