Lewes Bonfire night

The County town of Lewes was crammed full of 50,000 revellers to celebrate the 5th November 2009. The streets were closed to traffic and for the first time Southern rail were not putting on extra trains to cope. The result was, cars were parked on the roads side of all roads leading to Lewes. (that was a clever strategy to try to keep people away). 16,000 people did come by rail as it happens.

Why Lewes? The origins go back to 1606 the year after the plot a bonfie was held on Cliffe hill not far from where the martyrs monument stands. Things got out of hand in the early 1800's and a special act of Parliament was made in 1847 that enabled special constables to be sworn in during periods of Public rejoicing, procession, illumination and thronging.

For the faint hearted, the streets of Lewes are thronged and when the processions pass by the marchers are apt to drop some very loud bangers,the heat from the flaming barrels being manually towed along is intense, so, not the place to be if you have a nervous disposition.

The processions are a wonder, marchers in costume carrying lighted torches and pulling tableau with the topical hate figure. If you look up School Hill from Cliffe it is like a river of fire coming to meet you. The costumes are fantastic ranging from Ancient Greeks, Mongols, Spanish, Mexican, Elizabethan, Native American Indians, and Zulus,
(what is it with the British and Zulus?).

The hate figures in tableau this year were fat cat bankers and a certain Politician who was ordered to pay back £16,000 in wrongly calimed expenses.

The most poignant part of the processions was the 17 burning crosses representing the 17 Protestant martyrs burned to death in Lewes during the Marian period. The Crosses are carried through the streets and can look very wierd for the casual visitor.

There is also a fiery phrase carried that says "Sussex wont be druv" which as far as can be translated is that people in Sussex can be led but not pushed.

Some folks as comes to Sussex,
They rackon as they knows
A darn sight better what to do
Then silly folks like me and you
could possibly suppose.
But them that comes to Sussex
They mustn't push and shove,
For Sussex will be Sussex,
and Sussex won't be druv.

(W.Victor Cook) the verse goes on but you get the idea.

There are 6 different Bonfires and firework displays and they are all magnificent if you pick the right spot in the town you can see at least three displays at roughly the same time.

www.tudorhistorytours.com