Autumn celebrations have begun in Sussex - from now until the third Saturday of November bonfire societies are ‘on tour’ – visiting each others villages and towns to help stage impressive torchlit processions and firework displays. These events are smaller than the big event at Lewes on November the 5th but are as much fun and more family friendly. The celebrations mark both Guy Fawkes Night and the burning of the Protestant martyrs, both in Lewes and elsewhere, from 1555 to 1557. Donations to the events help raise many thousands of pounds for charities and other worthy causes.
Procession dates are as follows (please contact individual bonfire societies for procession times and to confirm that processions are going ahead):
Uckfield 3 September
Crowborough 10 September
Mayfield 17 September
Burgess Hill 24 September
Rotherfield 1 October
Eastbourne 8 October
Hastings & Hailsham 15 October
Nevill, Fletching, Punnetts Town & Seaford 22 October
Littlehampton, Staplecross & Newick & Firle 29 October
Lewes, Lindfield, Battle & Winchelsea 5 November
South Heighton, Chailey, Rye & East Hoathly 12 November
Barcombe & Robertsbridge 19 November
Be aware that many high streets and surrounding roads are closed for the events and parking tends to be on roads and lanes at the outskirts of the towns/villages. You may therefore need to walk some distance into the town/village and a torch may be useful.
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