By Lyn Funnell
We arrived at our friend’s house before the road closed, and sat down for her annual Bonfire Night meal of sausages, jacket potatoes and beans.
Our daughter and Granddaughter were in the procession so they changed into their costumes and left before us.
It doesn’t seem like a year ago we were last there!
Outside were sounds of private firework parties, loud bangs and coloured lights in the sky.
The evening was pleasantly warm, unlike last year, and the crowds were much bigger.
Some of them were French as Newick is twinned with Itteville, Essonne, France and they would have been invited as guests.
This year there were 19 Bonfire Societies and six bands; an amazing sight marching through the small village of Newick, in East Sussex. They all carried blazing torches.
The air was filled with an attractive heady cocktail of burgers, sausages, gunpowder and autumn plants.
As the procession marched towards us we could hear the sound of beating drums and the excitement built up amongst the crowd. It seemed very primitive and I could picture a Legion of Romans approaching or a Medieval parade.
Each Bonfire Society has a theme but a lot of them were wearing their smugglers’ jerseys, obviously saving their expensive costumes for their own town’s celebrations, or for Lewes, which is the biggest and most traditional celebration of them all.
Believe me, Lewes Bonfire Night is not for the faint-hearted! Apart from the fact that Lewes is built on a hill, it’s packed and the roads close early, there are bangers being lit and thrown everywhere.
After the magnificent procession, its a long walk to the Bonfire Society’s bonfire of your choice.
But there are plenty of local events to choose from.
In the time before the Procession returned, everyone hurries to buy a drink and walk around.
We went to another friend’s house which is in the centre of the village. And there I met Lisa Bates. She has won a lot of competitions over the years for the best costume. And oh, she deserves it! the workmanship on her dress and hat are amazing. A lot of Bonfire Society Mambers put a lot of time and effort into making their costumes, but hers was outstanding!
9pm is the Bonfire Prayers. The people who stand on a platform and say it are very brave. While they’re being said, everyone bombards them with bangers and rockets until they finally disappear in a cloud of smoke!
The Gunpowder Treason and plot
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, ring bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys, God Save the King!
A farthing o’cheese to choke him
A pint of beer to rinse it down
A faggot of sticks to burn him
Burn him like a blazing star
Burn his body from his head
Then we’ll say old Pope is dead
Hip Hip Hoorah!
Hip Hip Hoorah!
