On 4 Aug 2015 at 9:24pm Danijela wrote:
We will be going to bonfire night for the first time this year. Can please someone advise us is it suitable to take are kids (7 years old and 3 years old). Would it be possible to join any of the Bonfire groups with kids? Thank you in advance
On 4 Aug 2015 at 9:27pm Danijela wrote:
Taking kids: NO
Joining a society with kids: yes. Just know when to take them home.
On 4 Aug 2015 at 9:28pm Newell Fisher wrote:
That last post was from me. Not sure how that happened???
On 4 Aug 2015 at 9:36pm Someone wrote:
I wouldn't take children under ten or perhaps even older. There are naked flames everywhere, crowds pushing, bangers and rookies exploding. I was in the crowd a few years ago when a rookie carved a two inch gash in a child's scalp - it could so easily have been his eye.
If you have access to a window space on the high street you'll be well above the mayhem on the street, and if your kids get frightened they can easily step back. So chat up your friends with flats overlooking the high street!
The other thing you can do is find out the routes the individual societies take to get to the procession - I love watching them march down the back streets round here. Much less noisy and scary!
On 4 Aug 2015 at 9:50pm Local wrote:
Bonfire groups. Are you sure you know which date it will be on, with ignorance like that?
Stay away until you understand it.
On 4 Aug 2015 at 10:08pm carmen wrote:
there is south street bonfire society which had its display and procession earlier
On 4 Aug 2015 at 10:54pm tobnac wrote:
Nevill's fine for kids tho, even tinies.
On 4 Aug 2015 at 10:55pm Q wrote:
Neville junior bonfire society marches a fortnight before the main event and is far more suitable for little ones.
On 4 Aug 2015 at 11:03pm fire starter wrote:
There are different societies in lewes , and is much safer for kids to be in it than watch it because of the crowds .... 4th November you can join up on badge night ours is at St Marys supporters club in lewes you would be most welcome .
Probably be worth speaking to us before hand though to find out about costumes etc and what to expect on the night you can find us on fb ye olde lewes borough
Hope this has been helpful to you
On 4 Aug 2015 at 11:54pm Guido wrote:
Stay away. It's not suitable for adults let alone small children. Way too dangerous. The sooner the authorities see sense and stop it the better IMO.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 1:26am Newell Fisher wrote:
Burn him in a tub of tar!
On 5 Aug 2015 at 6:41am Maurice Mcsquirter wrote:
Danijela, If anyone knows about Lewes Bonfire night it would be Newell Fisher. He currently holds the world record for an individual being in the most amount of Lewes Bonfire Societies, he must be very well respected through out the activity and his advice must be sound.!!!!
On 5 Aug 2015 at 7:38am SJEP76 wrote:
I have been taking my children out since they were 3-5 months old but not just on the 5th, we go to most outmeetings too. Being a member of a bonfire society should be a year round commitment not just joining a society on the 4th and walking on the 5th. By all means make that commitment,:it is a wonderful thing to do.
When you are walking with a society you don't actually get to see too much anyway.
Good luck and keep safe whatever you decide.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 8:13am Pearliegirliestar wrote:
Join a bonfire society. Why not? Get involved.Help out. Go to Outfires. Bonfire ismnot just for the 5th. Meet people. They will give you advice about what is best to do on the 5th. Might be best to find a spot and watch from a safe distance, there's a few around town.
The rest of you: No need to be tw*ts all your life.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 8:30am Humbert wrote:
There's some good advice here. The most important being to get involved year round if you join a bonfire society. Hangers-on who only turn up one night a year make it hard for everybody.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 9:23am Auntie Aviator wrote:
I'd love to help out more with bonfire but like the OP we have two young children (younger actually) and we both work. We barely have time to cook food or do any of our existing hobbies, let alone help out with torchmaking or tableaux or similar. I will do when I'm older, though, and the children are less of a burden. Does that mean I can't take part on the 5th though?
On 5 Aug 2015 at 10:17am Local wrote:
If you continue that feeble excuse AA, yes it does mean you shouldn't take part. It takes a tiny amount of time over a year to properly support a Society; if you go out more than once a year to the pub, for dinner, for a walk, or for the new national pastime of non-essential shopping, you can spare the time for bonfire. Or why not start "taking part on the 5th" via actually working, eg marshalling, box carrying, etc? Or is that impossible for you too?
Societies need to break out from being stuck in the 10% rule.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 10:28am Humbert wrote:
Local is right AA. In an hour you can make enough torches for yourself and your family for the 5th, meaning someone else doesn't have to do it for you. Kids love it too. If you can find the time in your hectic schedule to take part on the 5th you can find an hour to make torches.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 11:20am The 5th wrote:
I personally wouldn't take a young child to Lewes bonfire, it's not safe, even in the procession. Have you thought about joining up with a "smaller" society, there is chailey, fletching, uckfield. Chailey is held later than the 5th November however it's child friendly and family orientated, they are currently looking for people to join them too!
On 5 Aug 2015 at 3:18pm fed wrote:
why . but if you do join on l.b.b s which I am not a member
On 5 Aug 2015 at 4:13pm Auntie Aviator wrote:
"if you go out more than once a year to the pub, for dinner, for a walk, or for the new national pastime of non-essential shopping"
All easier to take a toddler on than a torchmaking session, but I take your point - I won't be partaking on the 5th. Have a good one!
On 5 Aug 2015 at 4:14pm Janet wrote:
My experience of going to bonfire over the last 45 years is that it's got more crowded and hence difficult to move through the crowds and get a good view since the police have fenced off roads, particularly the twittens off the High Street and Cliffe Bridge, and since more people (particularly large younger groups with alcohol) have started to come into Lewes. I think if you're coming to Lewes with young children it's worth being aware that public transport on the night gets extremely crowded. Probably the earlier Childrens' procession is best unless you're taking part in the procession.
As to commitment and being a member of the societies, I'll leave the advice to those who are.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 6:30pm Local wrote:
I disagree AA. Plenty of toddlers come to torch-making; they can assist with programme selling (the cuteness factor, for those that way inclined); no harm comes to them at jumble sales; etc.
Open your mind and you can still become welcome as a working Society member, not another glory hunter interested only in enjoying themselves at someone else's effort and expense on the 5th. BUt the above posters are correct to say that spectating is definitely not for kids.
On 5 Aug 2015 at 6:46pm Sjep76 wrote:
I agree with Local. I take my 4 year old programme selling, to the bonfire shed if anything needs doing. She has also helped at a jumble sale this year and also a car park marshalling event and absolutely loves it. I think it instills in them a bonfire work ethic.
On 22 Oct 2018 at 5:27pm Remissketchup76 wrote:
I started going at a young age, around 6. I loved it the first time I went, and I still do love it. You just need to be safe. 