Sussex Bonfire Season: We(alden) Wunt Be Druv

Sure, everyone remembers the 5^th of November. But in Sussex, it’s not simply one Guy Fawkes Night – from the beginning of September until the end of November, we’re remembering a whole season of bonfire. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the gunpowder plot of 1605.

Sussex is known across the country – the world, even – for its unusual celebrations. Lewes’ spectacular and sometimes controversial night gets much attention, while Battle adds to its list of historic claims with the oldest bonfire society in the world.

But here in Wealden, this chapter of Sussex’s bonfire story often gets lost in all the (very loud) noise. Step away from the main crowds and discover heartwarming, meaningful, community-led events, from societies all with their own distinct theme and character.

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Sussex Bonfire: A Short History

Before zooming into Wealden, it's worth mentioning what this strange tradition is, for those of you unfamiliar with our ways. Sussex Bonfire celebrations often feature torchlit processions, costumes, marching bands, burning effigies, fireworks and grand bonfire displays, all organised by a bonfire society. While some societies are active in West Sussex, and even in Kent (sorry Kent), most are concentrated in the eastern half of the historic county.

But why? Well, after that fateful night on the 5^th when Guy Fawkes and his Catholic friends tried to blow up parliament, King James I passed the ‘Observance of Fifth November Act’. This Act made everyone mark his near-death experience with a special church service, later joined by fireworks and bonfires.

As Sussex was already commemorating Protestant persecution through events in the 1500s, the region embraced these new celebrations wholeheartedly. So much so that when James I's Act was repealed in 1859, Sussex carried on, establishing bonfire societies to keep the tradition alive.

Lewes Bonfire Procession, holding proudly the Sussex county motto 'We Wunt Be Druv' (we will not be driven).

And as the celebrations grew, so did their meaning. They became a way for the people of Sussex to express freedom, resist oppression, and protest. From soldiers from the Napoleonic Wars fighting against poverty, to radicals such as Tom Paine campaigning for political reform, Bonfire Night became a powerful tool and a rallying point for the community.

And this still holds true today; over 40 bonfire societies are present in Sussex, of which the volunteers painstakingly organise magnificent processions and displays. This is often in addition to special commemorations of martyrs, and in some cases, the protest of relevant political figures (Google ‘Boris Johnson Lewes Bonfire’ and you’ll see what I mean).

As you can imagine, 40 bonfires is an awful lot in just one night. Due to the sheer size of events, and for mutual collaboration, the Sussex Bonfire Season was created to accommodate every society. Each one takes turns to host their ‘outmeeting’, inviting other societies to join the procession in their own colours and costumes.

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Wealden: The Rural Heart of Bonfire

Perhaps the lesser-known District, but certainly not small. Covering 323 square miles of rural Sussex, Wealden’s vast array of countryside villages and market towns has 14 distinctive bonfire societies, with events led by close-knit communities that punch way beyond their size.

Mayfield WI and Heathfield & District Bonfire Society entertaining the crowds at Mayfield.

The Mayfield Boyes and Belles for example, transform the picturesque High Weald village into a sea of 5,000 flaming torches; their mile-long procession is said to be the longest outside of Lewes. Held always on the third Saturday of September, Mayfield commemorates four protestant martyrs, who were burned at the stake in the village on 24^th September 1556 during Mary I’s reign.

They are not alone in this: many places beyond Wealden, including Lewes pay homage to protestant lives lost during religious turmoil. East Hoathly & Halland Society, however, have traditions steeped in more recent history.

The two villages formed a society after 11^th November 1918, commonly known as Armistice Day which signalled the end of the First World War. They still take their torches down East Hoathly High Street each year to remember those lost in both World Wars. The poignant procession takes place the day before Remembrance Sunday under the society motto, ‘Lest We Forget’.

Remembrance Display at East Hoathly & Halland Carnvial. Photo Credit Jim Holden.

The more ‘urban’ societies (or as urban as Wealden gets), should not be dismissed either. The Crowborough Bonfire & Carnival Society celebrates its 78^th carnival this year, while Hailsham was welcomed back with open arms in 2005 after a 16-year hiatus, having had history in the town dating back to the 1700s. 

The town of Uckfield holds the particularly important duty: their Carnival is the inaugural event in the Sussex Bonfire Calendar, on the first weekend of September (Carnival = family-friendly event. Bonfire = still family-friendly, but maybe a bit more drinking. And fire). Uckfield will be celebrating their 200^th anniversary in 2027, having been formed by shop traders who fancied setting up a Carnival on a Wednesday afternoon. Not very relevant today, just a great fact.

At the other end, Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society, along with Barcombe Society near Lewes are responsible for – excuse the pun – finishing the season off with a bang. Reestablished in 2020, Chiddingly has a long history of bonfire participation. In 1912, the Chiddingly Bonfire Boys teamed up with nearby villages to undertake a route march for the celebrations. Over the course of six hours, they walked nearly 11 miles!

Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society beginning their journey at The Six Bells in 2024. Photo Credit Roz Bassford.

It would take far longer to cover every society and the wonderful stories they have to tell. Even some of the newer ones, such as Vines Cross (1996), Ninfield (2009), and Heathfield (2018) have quickly become staples in their local neighbourhoods and the Sussex bonfire collective.

And that’s what makes bonfire in Wealden and wider Sussex as important as ever: the societies’ continuous presence in our communities. Even outside of the season, they are regularly running events for residents to enjoy, raising funds for the society and charitable causes. Buxted, Fletching and Rotherfield & Mark Cross host their annual Village Fetes, Isfield & Little Horsted put on the brilliant Isfest music festival, and Cowbeech host a Tractor Trundle AND a Summer Panto, which I think is just wonderful.

Every society has its place in Sussex’s bonfire story. Lewes Bonfire is undeniably fantastic – but it isn’t the only one, and due to safety measures visitors are usually asked to stay away anyway. So why not catch one in Wealden instead? Take a look below to find events full of entertainment, tradition and, most of all, heart and community.

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Full List of Wealden Bonfire Societies 

Buxted Bonfire Society

Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society

Cowbeech Bonfire Society Charitable Trust

Crowborough Bonfire and Carnival Society

East Hoathly and Halland Carnival Society

Fletching Bonfire Society

Hailsham Bonfire Society

Heathfield District Bonfire Society

Isfield and Little Horsted Bonfire Society

Mayfield Bonfire Society

Ninfield Bonfire Society

Rotherfield and Mark Cross Bonfire Society

Uckfield Bonfire and Carnival Society

Vine Cross Society