Rye set for bonfire magic
RYE streets will be a sea of flaming torches on Saturday(November 12) with thousands of people taking part in bonfire celebrations.
Bonfire societies from all over Sussex will be taking part in what has been described as the biggest night of the year in Rye.
And the event is set to provide a great late season boost to the local economy with visitors booking up accommodation for the weekend.
A Rye tourism spokesperson said: "Bonfire helps to extend the season and people come from all over the country to make a weekend of it."
Rye Bonfire Society chairman John Izod said: "Rye Bonfire and torchlit procession has become one of the great family events in the local calendar. Many months of hard work and preparation are put in by society members from fund raising to torch making and building the ultimate bonfire."
The procession will leave Tilling Green at 7.30pm and follow its traditional route along Ferry Road to Cinque Ports St, up through the Landgate Arch to the High Street, down The Mint to the Strand, then back along Cinque Ports St and the Landgate to the bonfire site on Rye Town Salts.
This year's mystery guest celebrity Rye Fawkes will be chaired down to the Salts at 8.30pm to light the "normus great bonfire"and the spectacular firework display will start at approximately 9pm.
Chris Drew, from the bonfire society, said: "This year's Bonfire Pageant promises to be especially impressive, being the 400th anniversary of the "Gunpowder Plot", and will be supported by Bonfire Societies coming from all over East Sussex, with a wide selection of drummers and marching bands coming from all over Kent and Sussex."
Highlights will be a fire breathing green dragon and the bonfire society's burning boat show-piece.
There will be new arrangements for carnival floats representing local interest groups and associations, following problems last year when a towing tractor broke down and blocked the Landgate Arch, forcing the procession to be diverted.
There will be extensive parking restrictions throughout Rye from 4 pm onwards, and there will be road-closures in place along the processional route before and during the event.
At this time there will be no vehicle access to or from Cinque Ports Street, Ferry Road or the High Street area of Rye.
There will also be long delays on the roads approaching Rye, especially the A259 coastal Trunk Route and the A268 London Road. The police may be expected to apply road closures on these routes between 8.00pm and 9.30pm, and traffic between Hastings and Ashford and the Channel Ports is advised to use the A28 / M20 route.
Chris Drew said: "There is no charge for visitors to enjoy the Rye Bonfire Celebrations, but during the event the Rye Bonfire Boys will be collecting for local charities and good causes.
"Visitors are asked not to bring fireworks to the event, and not to attempt to handle discarded torches: only members of recognised Sussex Bonfire Societies may actually take part in the parade.
The Rye Bonfire Society Ltd, a non-profit making organisation which finances and organises the event, prides itself in arranging a safe family event suitable for everyone, and all are welcome. Visitors should however leave pets and very young children at home, as they may be frightened by the noise."
Further details are posted on the Rye Bonfire Society's website, www.ryebonfire.co.uk.
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Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: -7 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -5 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
