Lewes's bonfire societies have filled the town centre for their annual parade on 5 November, featuring effigies of Prime Minister Andy Burnham and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino alongside satirical targets including water companies. According to BBC News, the event draws tens of thousands of visitors each year to the East Sussex town for one of the country's most distinctive bonfire celebrations.
This story was first reported by BBC News.
Each of Lewes's bonfire societies organises its own bonfires, effigies and fireworks displays as part of the procession. Other targets in this year's parade included Southern Water and other utility companies. Mick Symes, chair of Lewes Borough Bonfire Society, told BBC Radio Sussex that their effigy was deliberately topical and designed to resonate with local residents, though he kept the specific details under wraps.
"The weather forecast is phenomenal. Hopefully there will be a bit of a breeze to keep the smoke away. It will be a spectacular evening,"he said.
According to The Argus, approximately 3,000 people from six societies were expected to take part in the procession and associated events. The celebrations commemorate the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a tradition that has made Lewes's bonfire night one of the most elaborate in Britain.
What draws such large crowds?
Last year's event attracted an estimated 40,000 people to the town centre. Josh Reed, who manages the White Hart pub, predicted the East Sussex town would be
"full to the brim"on Thursday. The scale of attendance has prompted significant planning by emergency services, with Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Graham Barnett describing Lewes Bonfire Night as one of the biggest single events the force handles each year, requiring substantial resource deployment.
Beyond the main procession, additional activities were drawing participants from across the region. Yahoo News reported that the Bonfire Bike Train from Brighton was expected to bring more than 400 cyclists to the event, with the group departing The Level at 18:00 and return rides scheduled for 23:00 and midnight.
What transport disruptions are in place?
Substantial road closures have been implemented to manage the anticipated crowds, including sections of the A27 and A26. Train services to Lewes and surrounding stations were not stopping on Thursday evening to prevent overcrowding. Emergency services have urged people travelling from outside the area to consider staying away due to capacity constraints.
What is the schedule for 5 November?
The event programme begins with torch-lit processions from 17:00, followed by grand processions from 20:00. Bonfires and fireworks displays are scheduled to commence at 21:30, with the planned conclusion at 23:00. The effigies, which in previous years have included prime ministers, foreign leaders and other prominent public figures, are paraded through the town centre before being burned by each bonfire society.
