Lewes Bonfire Spectacular!

Well, recently I've been unable to take any pictures to show you what I've been up to, so here's a link to my Bonfire night to make up for it!

Having gone to Uni with Alice, who lives in Lewes, I have always been intrigued at her disappearance every 5th November to return home for the celebrations....and this year, I decided to find out how good these really were. (A quick look at the Wiki page throws up this quote: 

"Imagine a head-on collision of Halloween and Mardi Gras and you're well on your way to picturing Bonfire Night, Lewes style – barrels of burning tar, processions of thousands of fiery torch-bearing crowds, massive bonfires and firework displays"
—Rough Guides, Daily Telegraph

I'd driven over from Devon that day, making sure I arrived before 5pm, as I was told that the roads get blocked off and no car can get in or out. It sounded drastic and exciting. Arriving around 3pm, it was already pretty busy and there was restricted parking everywhere. I parked up at Alice's and we all got ready. First of all, after the arrival of friends, the bonfire cake was decorated using Cadbury's Flakes as the bonfire. Yummy! We then had a warming supper of soup and sausages in buns, accompanied by mulled wine. Well, we needed to stay warm if we were going to be outside all night! Having prepared many flasks of whiskey and apple juice, we set off for the High Street where the Parade would take place. I was glad of my wellies and waterproofs and the weather was a little bit rainy! 

As we made our way to the parade, I kept seeing people in stripy tops. Alice explained that these were the smugglers and they had various roles to do during the day and night. All the helpers are part of different societies and have different colours to represent them. When we arrived at the Parade we managed to get a good spot as so I got a great view of the whole night.

It's difficult to describe it to someone who has never been to a Lewes Bonfire night just what it is like.

First of all, the atmosphere is one of excitement and fun. There are thousands of people, of all ages, though as it was a Friday night, it was predominately the young adults and a bit older. Everyone is happily chattering to each other, and occasionally there will be a wave, hug and squeal as old friends meet up and you bump into someone you went to school with years ago. Everyone is jostling, but no one gets annoyed as it's just part of the celebrations. If you look up, there are houses along the route with crowds of people all illuminated at the windows as they gather to look out on the crowds and parade. It reminds me of the Notting Hill Carnival with everyone packed in but all smiling.

Then there is the parade itself. It consists of different societies, all in costumes of different themes. Each society proudly carries it's banner and the costumes are some of the best I've seen in a long time. These are no 'order from the internet' outfits; they are lovingly crafted and high in detail. The crowd whoops and cheers as each society goes past, and the society members wave their burning torches around.

Tar barrels dragged through the streets

Did I mention there was a lot of fire? At first, the health and safety, (or lack of it) surprised me, but really, it's common sense. Don't go near fire and we will all be fine. As the torches burnt out, they would be cast on the ground, ready for the smugglers to come along and collect them in their barrels they wheeled along. The wooden staffs would then be burnt in the barrels, adding to the flames.

There was also live music among the procession, in the form of samba bands, brass bands, and the beloved bagpipes. As they went by, the crowd would dance along to the beat, stamping their feet and adding their cheers.

However, when the effigies go by, the crowd changes: chants of "Burn Him!" rang in my ears and the bangers and firecrackers add to the noise. Many of the paraders and crowd have ear plugs, but I found that it was fun to be shocked and jump in the air every time one went off.

When the procession had finished we headed down to the Commercial Square bonfire and fireworks. The crowd moved together, with no one pushing or shoving, (though there were a few lads who thought that they would try: they were quickly shouted down by the rest of the crowd). The bonfire was lit and went up in a massive blaze and though we were not close to the edge, we still felt the heat. Around us, the fireworks from other societies could be seen lighting up the sky, but to be standing right underneath the massive explosions was amazing. I've always loved fireworks and have not seen any better than this! They seemed to go on and on and so when they had apparently finished, we started to head back. However, there were still more to come! We were glad we left slightly early though, as we avoided the main crush of the crowds. 

By this time, the rain had started up again, so we decided to go to listen to the prayers, then head back. We found more friends, and chatted to them, but quickly realised we were targets for some boys using up their bangers. At that point, we decided to head home, back to bonfire cake. Sitting in the warmth, ears ringing, with yummy chocolate cake to eat, I felt so so glad to have visited and am already planning to get more friends to come next year!