Bonfire procession and fireworks returns to Hailsham

Hailsham Bonfire Society has revealed its plans to hold the town’s annual Bonfire celebrations this month.

The event will take place on October 16th and will host a ‘scaled back’ fireworks finale at the end of the parade at the Western Road Recreation Ground. The lack of fundraising activities due to restrictions has meant the scale of the whole event will be slightly reduced – but still promises to be a night to remember, according to the organisers.

Other Bonfire Societies will descend on the town for the torchlight procession which will kick off from Vicarage Lane around 7:15pm. It will stop at the Memorial in the High Street after a break where the traditional memorial ceremony will take place. The parade will use the same route as the 2019 procession and will end at Western Road before the fireworks.

The Bonfire Society and procession had a 16-year gap which came to an end in 2005, when the group managed to host a relaunch event on November 5th which also marked the 400th anniversary.

Celebrations have been held across the country for centuries and Sussex, where there are over 35 societies, is very much one of the most active areas when it comes to marking the downfall of Guy Fawkes’ plot to blow up Parliament and King James on November 5th 1605.

Each society has its own choice of uniform - the Hailsham group wears attire from the Victorian era as well as its famous black and grey striped smuggler jumper (all groups have different colour smuggler jumpers which is obvious when they all gather for the traditional procession.

The event and group is reliant on donations which it collects from the many raffles, bingo nights, tombolas and quizzes throughout the year. Programmes are available prior to the event for a donation which highlights what will be happening throughout the event.

New members are always welcome and being part of the bonfire society is a fantastic way to socialise with like-minded people, involve the whole family and attend other society processions. The group currently has almost 90 members ranging from just 9 months to over 80-years-old.

Costing only £10 for an adult or £20 for a family of two adults and unlimited children, not only are you helping the group to grow but you can also enjoy some great nights out.

For the latest information on the event, keep your eye on its website at hailshambonfire.org.uk, or visit its Facebook page.

FULL PROCESSION ROUTE:

19:30: Procession leaves Vicarage Lane Car Park and will follow the road turning left onto the High Street and continue on to Market Street. It’ll then turn right onto Bell Banks Road and then right onto Station Road to enter the lower end of George Street, continuing up George Street, onto the High Street for around 8pm.

A short service of remembrance will take place at the Memorial before it continues back to the Vicarage Lane Car Park. Please observe the minute’s silence. Approx 9pm, the procession will leave the car park along Vicarage Lane to enter the top end of the High Street. After the HBS banners are lit, it’ll continue along the High Street to enter George Street, then South Road, then right onto Western Road where the parade will end.

The fireworks finale will start at 9:30pm.