Parade chaos mars bonfire celebrations
FUTURE Rye bonfire celebrations will not include floats after this year's parade ended in disaster.
The town suffered a disappointing evening after a tractor broke down and jammed the Landgate Arch.
Police re-routed the parade straight to the bonfire site at Rye Salts, meaning thousands of spectators lining the town's streets missed the procession.
Despite crowds of up to 12,000, collections were well down on last year's figure of some 4,000 - totalling just 2,600.
As a result of the incident Bonfire Society members say next year's event will see changes - with floats no longer forming a part of the parade.
Some citicised police for diverting the procession away to the bonfire area too quickly - although their decision was backed by Bonfire Society chairman John Izzod. The tractor had run out of fuel in the archway, leaving space for only one person to pass either side.
The 400-strong procession waiting behind was taken straight to the Salts, missing the crowds thronging the town who then rushed down the hill to catch the end of the parade.
Some 44 police officers were at the event and several issued on-the-spot fines of 80 for fireworks being let off during the procession.
Insp Douglas Bick said: "There was a great deal of patience and co-operation shown by both the Rye and District Bonfire Society, and members of the public.
"Everyone from the vehicles which were separated from the procession was able to make it to the bonfire and to see the fireworks.
"Despite what happened, everyone remained good-humoured and there were no public order incidents related to the delays."
However, vice-president of Rye's Bonfire Society Jimper Sutton said the parade had been 'kidnapped' by the police as the tractor was started again within 11 minutes.
"The bonfire boys were very orderly and we all have radios to pass on information," he said. "Next year is the 400th anniversary and it is going to be spectacular.
"The police can look after the crowds and order but they are not going to control the bonfire boys."
Mr Izod said: "It gets dangerous, you have to move a parade on so a lot of people in the High Street saw a very short part of it. But it was a lovely evening - the fireworks were superb and the fire was huge."
Mr Izod said lessons would be learned from this year's celebrations - and next year's would be unlikely to include any floats.
"We will probably have to turn down floats and have only the burning boat and the dragon," he explained. "It will be much more traditional with an old-fashioned parade."
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Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Saturday 11 February 2012
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