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Barcombe Bonfire Society
Historical Highlights
This area is likely to expand as we retrieve more old pictures, programmes - and memories! If you have anything of historical interest to BBS please let one of the Committee know, and you can have your name in lights somewhere on this website.
Have I said yet that this area is a work in progress?
Clicking on pictures will pop up larger versions in a new window.
- Beginnings
- 2001 Celebrations
- 2002 Celebrations
- 2003 Celebrations
- 2004 Celebrations
- 2005 Celebrations
- 2006 Celebrations
- 2007 Celebrations
Beginnings
1932
Records recount the first official Barcombe Bonfire, which was held at the site of Barcombe Sewerage Works. (anyone know where this is?)
1936/7
During these two years, BBS was affiliated to Lewes Borough Bonfire Society. The procession started in Hillside Field and was devoted to the children of the village. Musical accompaniment was provided by Lewes Town Band.
1963
Members of Barcombe Fire Brigade decide to have a private firework display for their children, each member donating £5. They were joined by the Tennis Club, and then by many other village residents, who all contributed to this annual event.
1978
Barcombe Bonfire Society was officially reformed by voting in a committee and raising funds for Bonfire Night.
1997
The weather gets the better of us, and the evening is postponed for the first time in our history. Everything happens a week later.
1999
BBS becomes Barcombe Bonfire Society Ltd in order to satisfy new legislation.
2001 Celebrations
9th September
BBS kicked off the season early this year by taking part in Crowborough Carnival. Our float, lovingly constructed from scrap by some of the most inspired and creative Committee members (could be anyone), had a Grease 24th Anniversary theme. The centrepiece was a "Greased Lightning" car.
Those who attended - who were of course dressed as T-Birds and Pink Ladies - had a brilliant evening. It was rounded off to perfection by BBS receiving the cup for Best Float. As this was the first time we'd entered a carnival, we thought it a bit of a result.
11th November
We had special street tableaux in front of Signpost House this year, which were designed by local children (as part of a competition) and set off by their designers. This was a nice touch, and something we thought worth repeating if possible.
The display was excellent (as usual) especially considering that we had over £300 worth of fireworks stolen a few weeks beforehand.
2002 Celebrations
29th June
Thanks (very very much) to Christine and Robin Beech, we had another do at Handlye Farm, which, not to put too fine a point on it, made Bonfire Night a going proposition. Prior to this BBS finances hadn't looked strong enough and we were thinking we may have to call Bonfire Night off. It was a great night, too - good music (especially considering it was just a two-man band), good food (spit-roast lamb, yum) and good drink (plenty of Harvey's)!
9th November
This was - sadly - Bob Nye's last Barcombe Bonfire as Police Liaison Officer. As such we thought the occasion should be commemorated according to tradition. This entailed a street tableau of Bob at the roundabout, which he lit, and which went up very colourfully and noisily!
We also had a street tab of Thunderbird 2, which had an authentic droppable pod. Well, droppable in principle - in practice it took a little coaxing by Captain of Fireworks Ian Bartlam's torch.
The display was brilliant again, with one big starburst that rained golden streamers all around the outside of the audience, creating a gilded cage effect, being especially popular.
More new safety standards made the night harder work for your trusty committee (more roping-off, more firesite marshalling, tighter risk assessment), but as usual, we rose to the occasion.
Bob Nye also received his customary special "big bang" torch at the end of the evening, this time complimented with an exploding helmet (held at a distance hanging off a stick, not worn, I hasten to add). His colleagues got some great pictures of Bob being a fantastic sport for the last time (sniff), so if any of them are reading this, please get in touch! Actually one of them is likely to fight his or her way through the crowd of wannabees and become our new Police Liaison Officer, so maybe we can trace the pictures next Bonfire Night, if not before.
2003 Celebrations
4th February
A new committee is formed, very keen on renewing BBS as a family Society at the heart of the village. Well, we can dream!
mid-March
BBS enhances its presence on the Web a bit. 8-)
8th November
Bonfire Night 2003 is, we feel, a rip-roaring success, especially considering the change of procession routes and the introduction of a couple of new processions. These work well, and definitely get more youngsters involved, which was very much the intention. The fireworks are even better than 2002's (even with less money in the pot - steady on, lads!) and the Captain of Bonfire - very modestly - reckons the bonfire is the best ever. BBS expresses gratitude to all those who contributed to our funds, those who assisted us throughout the year and on the night itself, and indeed all who made this grand village event possible.
2004 Celebrations
13th November
There is a good turn-out for Bonfire Night 2004, assisted in part by publicity on the web - www.free-events.co.uk.
The bonfire has a shed (re-)built on top of it courtesy of a couple of particularly keen and aptly-named bonfire boys! Makes a good photo as the fire goes up, and photos will be coming..
The children's procession early in the evening is quite popular, and gets us on the front page of the Sussex Express, no less! We'll try not to let the fame go to our heads.
Our fireworks team sets up a fab Spiderman + Doc Ock mini tableau for the street fireworks, and follow this with yet another rip-roaring display. Well done chaps.
To be continued, with photos.... ummm, eventually!
2005 Celebrations
19th November
Barcombe Bonfire Night 2005 was fab, living up to being the Quadricentennial, and Captain of Fireworks Roy Cleaver deserves special praise for putting on the best display yet with the least money yet (allowing for inflation etc!). Sadly the field collection was actually down a lot on previous years, creating a bit of a headache for 2006 on the fund-raising front.
Loads of visiting societies this year (and some consequently impressive pageantry), as we coincided with last bonfire of the year at Robertsbridge, and collected a lot of people looking for a more relaxed, family-friendly alternative, with the benefit of being as close to Lewes as you can get without being there! We'll probably make Barcombe Bonfire last of the year in 2006 as well, given the 2005 success.
2006 Celebrations
18th November
Well, Barcombe Bonfire 2006 was quite a success. Great turn-out by guest societies, brilliant parades, costumes and fiery pieces, awesome fire, tip-top fireworks. Not that I have a vested interest or anything!
For more great photos from Roz South, like the one on the right, please visit her Barcombe 06 gallery at www.allthingsbrightonbeautiful.com (where you'll also find many more exceptional photos, Bonfire and otherwise).
Further excellent photos can be seen at Craig Payne's site - go to My Photos, Bonfire Nights, Barcombe Bonfire Night. These are especially good on the treatment of flame, with special attention given to our Barrel Runners!
And finally, there's a further small gallery of the later part of the evening available too, courtesy of Barry at www.free-events.co.uk. More pictures always welcomed.
2007 Celebrations
18th November
Well, Barcombe Bonfire 2007 was a real rip-roarer with a record-breaking number of guest societies, a river of flame all the way out to Barcombe Mills, and the best fireworks display you'll ever see (certainly for the money). Oh, and let's remember, remember Barcombe's very own fantastic marching band, the Shambolics!
For more great photos from Roz South, like the one on the right, please visit her Bonfire Boys 07 gallery.