Fletching bonfire celebrations

FLETCHING Village came alive on Saturday night with more than 3,000 people joining in Fletching Bonfire Society s celebrations.

The evening started at 6.00 pm with a fancy dress competition in the village hall. Then the streets came alive with spectators and bonfire boys and girls. The first procession started at 7.30 pm, with more than 20 visiting Societies and five bands, including the Surrey Pipe Band, Barcombe Scout Band, Burgess Hill Youth Marching Band, Newhaven Youth Marching Band, and 1st Peacehaven & Telscombe Cliffs Scout Band.

During the evening more that 4,000 torches were burnt, and the second procession which led to the fire site was half a mile long. The evening finished with a spectacular firework display to music, superbly staged by Peter Roe of Ashdown Fireworks. The society paid tribute to him and his team for the wonderful display.

Sarah Bradford, secretary of the society, said that it was the biggest and best local bonfire ever. There was a great atmosphere and we have never seen so many people, both in the procession and spectators in the street.

This was shown in the size of the street collection which was a record with over 350 raised for St Peter and James Hospice and Glyn Thomas Appeal Fund. Glyn lives in the village and has been selected to represent the Scout Association at the World Jamboree in Thailand.

Sarah thanked local farmers David Hollings, for providing the field and for help with equipment and vehicles, John Randle for use of his premises to make torches, and for providing space to park coaches on the night, and Robert Mann for lending his tractor and trailers throughout the week.

She added: I would also like to thank Sandy Henderson and Geoff Isted for doing such a wonderful job of building the bonfire and to Jim Bradford for all the background help in preparing the fire site, Terry Baldwin and his gang who organised the bar and barbeque, which supplied everybody with drink and hot food throughout the evening, and to the ladies who helped with refreshments in the hall. This was a good team effort and made this our best night ever! Thank you everyone.

The winners of the classes were as follows:

Children 4 & Under: 1, Toby Marmion (Bob the Builder); 2, Clementine Bennet (Flamenco Dancer); 3, Rory Galpin (Pea).

Girls 5-8: 1, Georgina Laffbury (Alice in Wonderland);2, Hayley Horsecroft (Wizard); 3, Amy Isted (Little Miss Scotland).

Boys 5-8: 1, Oliver Atherton (Scottish Clansman); 2, Hadley Welch (Devil); 3, Christopher Tees (Robin Hood).

Children 9 and over: 1, David Rich (Pirate); 2, Alison Tees (Medieval Girl); 3, Vicky Bullock (Mongolian Lady).

Extra Class: 1, David Hollings (Robot); 2, Olivia Baldwin (Bumble Bee); 3, Katie Hollings (Futuristic Elf).

Pairs: 1, Jack Clancy and Glyn Thomas (Skeleton and Puppet); Georgina Messenger and Bea Hall (Camel).

Groups: 1, McIntosh and Alden families (Goldilocks and the Three Bears); 2, Alexander Ransome, Tara and Jane Keoschgerian (Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Friar Tuck).

Overall winner of the Fletching Cup, David Hollings (Robot).

Best dressed visiting society: 1, Waterloo; 2, Newick.

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