21 replies to this topic

[samwinn]

I thought you guys might be interested in this video, it's a short video of the Lewes celebration of the bonfire night this year, possibly the best celebration of the night in the UK.

http://www2.meridian.......&void=31439

It's a new service by ITV, ITV Local, so let me know what you think of the video.

[RegimentalPyro]

I thought that was a very well put together piece. Editting was superb.

Music especially fitted the piece......

[Night Owl]

I thought you guys might be interested in this video, it's a short video of the Lewes celebration of the bonfire night this year, possibly the best celebration of the night in the UK.

http://www2.meridian.......&void=31439

It's a new service by ITV, ITV Local, so let me know what you think of the video.

Hi Sam if its ok with you ill put a link to that video on my web site, awesome vid mate!

Steve http://pulsar46.tripod.com

[samwinn]

Hi Sam if its ok with you ill put a link to that video on my web site, awesome vid mate!

Steve http://pulsar46.tripod.com

Sure thats fine, spread it round as much as you like.

[EnigmaticBiker]

It's a new service by ITV, ITV Local, so let me know what you think of the video.

Link doesn't work for me, unfortunately.

[Richard H]

Excellent. Reminded me of Valencia!

[Mortartube]

A lovely show!



Our carnivals used to be like that with flaming torches and the like - nowadays, it's 3 beauty queens and one lame marching band of out of tune kids!

I thought the burning crosses was a bit "Ku Klux Klan"

Didn't much like the shot of people throwing lighted fireworks! (Not a good example to others even if a lot of us did it when we were kids)

It must have taken months of planning and safety meetings, so a big well done to the organisers!

How they stopped the local youths from setting off that bonfire early I don't know.

I'm very temped to come alone to next years - certainly how a firework show should be done!

Shrubsole, I'll try to address some of your points.

The 17 crosses of the Cliffe Bonfire Society are burnt in memory of the 17 Protestant matyrs (many burned to death outside of Lewes town hall) during the Marian persecutions.

The lighted firework throwing is squibbing, it has gone on for at least 150 years and in reality, they are dropped at your own feet in the procession, or thrown towards the bonfire clergy who stand on a raised platform and deliver their mock religious address at the firesite. Another ancient bonfire custom. The squibbing you saw there on the video pales into insignifigance when compared to the reality of being there.

Next years celebrations are already in the planning stage and debriefing meetings are held with the emergency services within the few days after the celebrations to diiscuss safety and any changes that should be made.


The bonfires are guarded for days before the event either by a professional security company or more usually burly bonfire blokes you don't wish to upset. Local respect comes into it as well.

There are five different sociteies and therefore five displays throughout Lewes on bonfire night. 2 Societies charge admission, the Cliffe and Borough Bonfire societies, but you can see most displays from each site if you simply turn around.

People aren't encouraged to visit Lewes on the 5th, but I'm sure one more won't make much difference so do come along. Roads close from about 5.30.

[Mortartube]

Ah! thanks for the insider info, Mortartube.

As long as it religious people being abused, then that's fine by me!

The problem with my local youths is that they have NO RESPECT.

I'm sure one more non-local won't hurt, you must get then by the 1000s (if not 10,000s)

Do they burn Outsiders at the stake?

With the roads closing and everything, it would probably be better to arrive by train about lunchtime!

Yep religious intolerance is great, we burn an effigy of the pope (not the current one, the one around plot time)

Around 50,000 "Outsiders" breeze into Lewes to watch the fun and frolicks.

Yes train at lunchtime is a good idea.

[Rip Rap]

The lighted firework throwing is squibbing, it has gone on for at least 150 years and in reality, they are dropped at your own feet in the procession, or thrown towards the bonfire clergy who stand on a raised platform and deliver their mock religious address at the firesite. Another ancient bonfire custom. The squibbing you saw there on the video pales into insignifigance when compared to the reality of being there.

Hi Mortartube,

I am interested to know more about "squibbing". Are they similar to the old fashioned squibs you could get years ago that end with a report? What do they look like? What is the history behind squibbing? Is it like a symbolic pelting of the clergy?

Cheers.

[phildunford]

For the woefully ignorant (me! ) how do you say Lewes...

is it 'loos' or 'lewis' or what?

[Mortartube]

For the woefully ignorant (me! ) how do you say Lewes...

is it 'loos' or 'lewis' or what?

Loo is - The "is" part of the word rhymes with last 3 letters of the word Miss.

[Mortartube]

Rip Rap, bird scarers used to be used, detached from the rope, but nowadays Spanish or Chinese made throwdowns are used with either a Bickford type fuse if Spanish or the green braided fuse on the Chinese ones. These are flash crackers with quite a bang. I will endeavour to get a photo of one sometime ( it may take a while as I have none).

I don't fully know the history behind squibbing, but I believe that it used to be a widespread practice. The clergy are dressed as Bishops and have always been the target for squibs whilst they deliver a mock oration. I can only assume that it stems from the days when there was genuine religious intolerance. Todays proceedings are more of a memory of intolerance and how nasty it could all be rather than a celebration of it.

There used to be a firework called the Lewes Rouser. basically a stickless rocket with a gunpowder bounce. These were apparently laid on the toe of your boot and lit with a flaming torch. They would scurry of amongst the procession and scatter people. They were banned after a shop caught alight in the early years of the 20th century.

More information is available here on all things bonfire.

http://www.cliffebonfire.com/home.html

BTW, anyone wishing to join, apply now. There is about a years waiting list.

Edited by Mortartube, 16 November 2006 - 05:06 PM.

[Stew]

All the 'squibbing' which goes on is only within the ranks and at the firesite. Each year ive been in it my ears ahve rung for days afterwards..they are damn loud. Chinese are usually the loudest which are dropped in the procession but at the firesite anything goes. A few spanish 9's (they are huge) andplenty of homemade attempts and thousands of chinese crackers! Its such a good night and if you have bonfire in you (ive been in it for 10 years) then theres no getting out of it! Oh and also i can see quite clearly how it looks extremely odd to 'outsiders'!