We said goodbye to Mum early as she was catching an early flight back to Edinburgh. We then were dropped off at Taunton Station by our excellent hosts Grant and Anne (5 stars!) for our trip to Hove. 

We had 4 sections across the south of England. Unfortunately the second section was cancelled due to lack of drivers so we had to catch a later train setting us back an hour. After more stuff ups by the rail companies we made it to Kate and Rob’s at Hove still only an hour late. Lisa and Sean were there – Rob is Sean’s brother.

We had a nice catch up and all went to bed early as we had a big day next day.

It was my birthday and we started celebrating by going to lunch at the George Payne pub.

We didn’t have much time for lunch so we had an assortment of share dishes and then got on a train to Lewes where we were going to the bonfire night.
The Lewes bonfire night is a traditional event that has been going for over 100 years and has 7 bonfire societies each with their own dress up outfits,  procession and bonfire.

It evolved mainly from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and Guy Fawkes (Guido Fawkes) and the Seventeen Martyrs burnt at the stake in Lewes, Sussex, during the period of 1555–1557. 

We first had a wander around town seeing some of the banners and the shut up shops. There were already bangers going off in the streets.

At 5pm we stood next to the war memorial to watch the start of the processions with a memorial service to WWI and II. This involved a brass band and a minute silence. The outfits included 17 monks with burning crosses representing those burned at the stake. 

At 6pm there was another similar service, this time with Indian outfits. 

We then went to Robs friend Jeremy’s in Lewes who very kindly hosts dinner and drinks for his book group plus hangers on. There were around 15 of us there.  We had mulled wine and main course then headed back out to check out the processions. We had to walk 5 minutes to find a clear spot from where to watch the processions. We saw 2 of the effigies to be burned beside the bonfires – Gianni Infantino and Southern Water.

Other effigies that we missed were of Nigel Farage and Andy Burnham.
There were many visiting bonfire societies so there were a large number of outfits. 

After enjoying those hugely we then went back to Jeremy’s for dessert before heading off to the final event of one of the 7 bonfires and fireworks. There was a huge crowd walking out to the field in the edge of town. The barrels collecting the stakes were just ahead of us. 

It was already packed when we arrived there so we found a spot as best we could, stumbling in the dark over low walls and hilly ground. 

The bonfire was huge and traditionally the crowd threw bangers at the men dressed as priests beside 3 burning crosses. The priests fended them off with cricket bats. 

The fireworks started and got bigger and bigger. A huge fireball went up at one point. They were stunning. 

Every time I thought they were finished they came back more furiously. They finished after what felt like more than half an hour.

We then headed back down a very narrow crowded lane stopping and starting and not being able to move. 

After 10 minutes we got out of there onto a normal road and walked on towards the car that was on the very edge of town 40 minutes walk away. Rob had driven here after all the gates were put up in an attempt to keep visitors away. 

There were still a lot of people in the narrow streets. At one point we saw another procession with burning torches. 

At last we got to the edge of town to the car. Rob drove us all home and we got to bed around 1.30am.