Remember Remember the 7th of September

Everybody living in the United Kingdom is aware of the Gunpowder plot, when a group of catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the protestant King James during his state opening of Parliament on 5th November 1605. Soldiers searching the cellars underneath the Palace of Westminster after a tip off discovered and captured the most famous of the conspirators Guido (Guy) Fawkes, who was hiding amongst hundreds of barrels of gunpowder which he intended to ignite upon the Kings arrival at the palace. After being tortured on the wrack to reveal the names of his fellow conspirators. He was hung, drawn and quartered, a traditional and grisly method of execution for the crime of treason at this time.

In early November every year, throughout the length and breadth of this land we celebrate the capture of Guy Fawkes by burning an effigy of him on a bonfire, and igniting thousands of pounds worth of fireworks. In my little part of rural East Sussex this tradition is taken far more seriously, bonfire season here, begins some two months earlier.

All the main towns and villages in this part of the county have a Bonfire society made up of residents and supported by local businesses. Wearing a traditional uniform of woollen pullovers with hooped patterns on them or in fancy dress, they hold a torch light procession through each town in turn, culminating on 5th November with a major celebration in the county town of Lewes. This years season began last Saturday night when the small town of Uckfield hosted Bonfire societies from all over the county who held a torch light procession up and down the High street. There were also floats, bands and dancers within the parade and a fun fair on the town green.

Nowadays Bonfire processions are very well regulated and policed, however this was not always the case. There are written accounts from the eighteen forties of the Lewes Bonfire parade turning into a riot after too much alcohol was consumed by the Bonfire boys. These riots were broken up by police and special constables with a troop of Lancers held in reserve. Even today the police try and dissuade outsiders from attending the Lewes Bonfire parade as the celebrations have outgrown the steep narrow streets. The Uckfield Bonfire procession was a brilliant evening out with a carnival atmosphere enjoyed by children of all ages. It is a credit to the town and all the people who organised  and took part in this fantastic event.