On 9 Nov 2010 at 11:03pm Burn em! wrote:
The nature of a forum such as this one means that the most popular threads and topics of discussion will inevitably be the most controversial and often the most negative.
However, with regard to this year's Bonfire, I think it is worth taking a step back from all the dissection of what was good, what was bad, who did what wrong etc.
As an overall event starting with the build-up of out-meetings, Nevill's event, the societies badge nights, through to the Fifth itself it was a resounding SUCCESS.
Some have gone so far as to say one of the best ever.
Of course there were a few minor niggles, a little controversy, a tiny handful of idiots and one particularly unfortunate injury.
But the vast majority - thousands and thousands of people - local and visitors, had a really fantastic day and night, enjoyed themselves greatly and went home happy and safe.
Personally it was one of the best nights I have had for a long time.
On the Saturday morning I bumped into a neighbour in a local coffee house. He is a well-known character around town, an intelligent guy, in his 50s, not a society member, doesn't really get involved at all. But he was grinning from ear to ear and saying how much he had enjoyed it all.
One particular thing he said struck a chord - he said Bonfire makes him feel "proud" of his town.
And he's right.
We should feel proud. It's a truly unique event. It brings excitement and pleasure to thousands. It's all done at the grass-roots level. And it's all done by the people of the town.
So, well done to everyone - non-society members who give money and support in other ways and just turn out to be involved in their own way. Well done to those in the town who aren't really interested but accept it with good grace. Well done to the supporters within the police and the council - yes, there are some!
And, of course, well done to all the societies and all their members.
We should all feel proud...
On 9 Nov 2010 at 11:56pm The Tooth Fairy wrote:
Very well said Burn 'em, I can can almost feel my cold black heart skip a beat. Seriously though, good post.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 12:10am IMEYOU wrote:
Well Said Burn Em . . Had a fantastic time even though I got hurt a few times and ended up at A&E for a foot injury ! ( Only Internal Bruising ) . . Badge Night through to Lewes & Battel was a blinder . The best year yet and roll on 2011 !
On 10 Nov 2010 at 12:46am Webbo wrote:
I couldn't agree more Burn em! a definite Post of the Year contender
On 10 Nov 2010 at 8:45am Leaf wrote:
Bravo,
On 10 Nov 2010 at 9:41am Down and Out wrote:
Since you wrote that post, I've been trying to think of another small town in England which - entirely voluntarily - puts together a street festival on such an epic scale that it takes over the whole town for an evening, and where twice the population of the town come to see it. There isn't one, is there?
Which makes it all the more incredible, I think.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 9:55am Ash wrote:
How about the Shrovetide Football match in Ashbourne, Derbyshire?
Shops boarded up, thousands taking part, lasts for two days.
hxxp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Shrovetide_Football
On 10 Nov 2010 at 10:00am Penguin wrote:
At last, someone sensible with a non bitchy post about Bonfire. Well said Burn Em.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 11:15am IMEYOU wrote:
Ash . . Interesting event but doesnt quite match the intensity of the Fifth !
On 10 Nov 2010 at 12:19pm Commuter wrote:
Great post Burn em! totally agree, we should all be proud of the fantastic town we live in!
On 10 Nov 2010 at 12:30pm Down and Out wrote:
Ash - fair enough, but that one doesn't involve raising thousands of pounds and spending thousands of man-hours making tabs, torches, costumes and organising fireworks.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 12:51pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:
I think the Somerset carnivals may come closest. All the smaller towns have theirs and then they all go to the big one at Bridgewater for the combined effort. A teremndous amount of work goes into the floats. I still don't think that attracts much of a following from out of town though.
It's around the same time of year as bonfire, too.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 12:53pm Taff04 wrote:
Well, I couldn't agree more. I've just moved to Lewes, and attended my first bonfire night. I was a little bit apprehensive at first as many people had said that it was extremely noisy and a bit riotous. However, I needn't have worried. The event was fantatstic, and the proceedings were very well organised, and everybody was pleasant and friendly. Actually, I've noticed that everyone I've spoken to since moving here, be it the elderly or the young, have been courteous, helpful and extremely polite ! I put this down to the various bonfire societies forming a close bond within the local community. So long may the societies flourish, and roll on next year !!
On 10 Nov 2010 at 1:05pm AKane wrote:
Here here Burn em! We had a big party with a few close friends and they had watery eyes, not from the smoke but they were really moved by the processions. A few went as far as to say that Bonfire was one of their most memorable life experiences. It made my heart skip a few beats too this year. It truly was outstanding!
On 10 Nov 2010 at 1:25pm Clifford wrote:
Well said, Burn 'Em. And, yes Webbo - post of the year.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 3:45pm 'ere be monsters wrote:
Taff04, it's even better when you're in it. Join up.
On 10 Nov 2010 at 4:02pm rocky wrote:
Here Here burn Lewes!!
On 10 Nov 2010 at 11:12pm Brixtonbelle wrote:
MY second year in Lewes, my first marching and IT WAS AMAZING. Loved every minute despite getting hit several times with rookies. Community feeling was brilliant, the noise the torches, the cheering, the effigies, the fireworks. Hard to put into words how it makes you feel, but it's totally different taking part to observing. Can honestly say it was one of the best nights of my life. Thank you Lewes.
On 11 Nov 2010 at 3:21pm An Inbetweener wrote:
One thing I'd not noticed before:
On Cliffe bridge I twice observed a be-costumed society chap in deep and serious conversation with a policeman, letting him know exactly when the next procession was coming through, to the minute. They were totally concentrated on the job at hand, despite the thousands of marchers, crowds and bangs around them.
It was quite an eye opener to realise how organised the whole event is. I think as an outsider you just take it for granted that it all just happens.
Well done everyone. Good fun.