With this year’s bonfire season well underway, there are still lots of torchlit processions and firework displays taking place county wide in the coming weeks.

Why do we burn?

Bonfire celebrations across East Sussex mark the anniversary of the failure of the Catholic-led Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament in 1663. They also commemorate the burning of Protestant martyrs across Sussex during the reign of Bloody Mary, between 1555 and 1558.

Guy Fawkes

Bonfire Night itself is traditionally celebrated on 5 November. The date marks the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I. The plot involved 13 men, including Guy Fawkes who was famously found with the gunpowder in the cellars of the House of Lords.

Sussex Martyrs

Sussex bonfire processions also remember the Protestant martyrs who were branded as heretics for refusing to renounce their faith during the reign of Mary I. Many were burnt at the stake as a result.

Local societies commemorate their own Sussex Martyrs, often by carrying burning crosses to represent those persecuted.

In Lewes, 17 local martyrs are commemorated with 17 such crosses. Rotherfield carry three burning crosses in their procession in memory of three local people. In Mayfield the procession features four crosses.

“We burn for good”

The Sussex bonfire tradition goes under the motto “We burn for good”. This is a modern interpretation of “We wunt be druv”, the unofficial county motto of Sussex meaning “we will not be driven” or told what to do.

Early bonfire societies adopted the motto as 5 November became a day when authorities overlooked small acts of local defiance. 

Nowadays, local bonfire societies ‘burn for good’, raising money for local charities and community organisations.

Bonfire events – choose local

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service would like you to ‘choose local’ this bonfire season. Please support locally organised events rather than setting off fireworks or having bonfires in your own gardens.

Full details of all the East Sussex Bonfire events can be found on the Choose Local page of the Fire and Rescue Service website.

Upcoming events this month include Heathfield this coming weekend (11 October) with Seaford and Hastings on 18 October. Firle and Ewhurst & Staplecross hold their celebrations on 25 October.  Isfield & Little Horsted round off October’s celebrations with their bonfire event on Friday, 31 October.

Next month sees processions in Newick on 1 November followed by Battle and East Hoathly & Halland (8 November), and Rye (15 November). The last events of this year’s Bonfire season take place in Robertsbridge and Barcombe on 22 November.

Safety first

If you are attending a bonfire event in the coming weeks please remember these safety tips to ensure everyone has a good time:

  • Do supervise children. Bonfire events can be noisy and crowded and may not be suitable for young children.
  • Do not bring pets – they will not enjoy it.
  • Do not let off bangers, flares or other fireworks.
  • Keep back and be aware of hot cinders from the lit torches as the procession passes by.
  • Do not pick up discarded torches. They will be collected by marshalls walking at the back of the procession.

Firework safety

It is always much safer to celebrate Bonfire Night at one of the locally organised East Sussex firework displays or bonfire events.

However, if you are thinking of having your own display at home, or using sparklers, read the firework safety advice from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

Lewes Bonfire

The night is run by several local bonfire societies. It includes a number of displays and processions through the town’s narrow streets, and attracts large crowds.

The event presents a unique challenge to the multi-agency group tasked with ensuring public safety during the evening, and we do ask that you find alternative events – and there are lots to enjoy! – rather than visiting Lewes.