Littlehampton bonfire event curtailed after severe weather - £30,000 costs 'may not all be recouped'

The Littlehampton Bonfire Society Limited announced on Saturday afternoon (October 28) that the 2023 torchlight parade, bonfire and fireworks had to be cancelled.

"Needless to say we are all devastated and are sorry for any inconvenience caused,” a statement read.

“Sadly the event – parade and fireworks will not be rescheduled this year due to the huge costs and organisation required. We will light the bonfire when the fire brigade gives us the go ahead.”

The event, which has been running for 70 years, comprises a traditional torchlight street procession with marching bands, illuminated floats, traction engines large and small and massed bonfire societies.

The event is one of the largest of its kind in the area and is hugely popular, regularly attracting crowds in excess of 20,000 to the town.

"However, the appalling weather was against us,” a spokesperson for the society said. “We struggled on with preparations through the week hoping that things would improve [but] they got worse.

"By early Saturday afternoon the fire service advised against lighting the fire due to strong onshore predicted winds and a lack of appliances available to attend the event due to the multitude of local flooding emergencies requiring the fire service.

"Coles funfair decided to cut its losses and left the promenade early. The pyrotechnics company hired to provide the fireworks display had already advised that the predicted winds would not allow them to proceed safely.”

The society said it was a ‘heartbreaking decision’ for the committee to make, adding: “But after a year's planning and much hard work fundraising and preparing they had no choice but to cancel.

“The society wishes to thank everyone who was to have been a part of what was planned as the biggest and best event in many years.”

The estimated cost of staging the celebrations stood at £30,000 before the cancellation decision was made, the society said.

Amid the financial burden, the society called members into an ‘emergency meeting’ on Monday afternoon.

The society told the Littlehampton Gazette: “The financial costs incurred in planning the event may not all be recouped – e.g. the hire of equipment – and this will negatively impact society funds.

“Please consider making a donation to the Littlehampton Bonfire Society via the Just Giving page to help improve the chances of returning in 2024.”