The Biggest Bonfire Celebrations in the World - Lewes 2010

Commercial Square Bonfire Society

Commemorating not only the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, but also the burning of seventeen Protestant martyrs from Lewes, the celebrations are taken very seriously. Six official societies from Lewes put on their own bonfire and fireworks displays, and take to the streets in an awe-inspiring procession with visiting societies from nearby Sussex towns and villages. The entire occasion is akin to a giant street party, with bangers going off at every opportunity and of course the copious amounts of alcohol consumed. Pubs and shops sensibly boarded up their windows and served alcohol in make-shift outside stalls.

The history of the grand celebrations is an interesting one, as in the 1820s, large groups of young apprentices called Bonfire Boys, went wild with fireworks and bangers, generally causing havoc until the police were called in. It was eventually agreed that for one night a year the boys could have their party and do basically whatever they liked within reason, and the police would turn a blind eye. This became Lewes Bonfire Night, or known locally simply as the Fifth.

As a non-local visiting Lewes, it was nothing like the simple bonfire and few rockets (both of which inspiring awe amongst my home village’s inhabitants) which I was used to in my childhood. Grinning painted skull-faces in pirate costumes danced their way down the streets, children holding flaming torches, giant floats including a manically grinning Barack Obama, all to the sound of chanting and the infectious beat of drums. The fire, the explosions, the smoke, the beat, the voices – all very primal, and appealing to the most basic of human instincts.

Understandably there is sometimes tension between the locals and visiting tourists, as once a year their town is veritably invaded by out-of-towners, some just looking for an excuse to get drunk and explode things. There are those who argue that Lewes Bonfire should be kept just for the inhabitants, as it is a tradition so very rooted in the town’s history. However, the majority of tourists I saw were families, holding cameras and excited young children pointing up at the colourful sky.

Yes, it’s a tradition that has a long and interesting history, but it’s also about human nature. We want to dance, we want to let loose, we want to enjoy one night of anarchy and smell the burning tar, we want to experience all that it has to offer and be part of it. And that’s all that matters.

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