Sussex's biggest Bonfire Night event is undoubtedly the celebrations that take place in the town of Lewes, with tens of thousands of people attending each year. What makes the event quite unique is there are in fact six different Bonfire Societies in Lewes which all have their own processions, traditions, costumes, fire sites and fireworks. As a result, this means the vast majority of the town is used in some way for the celebrations and it has attracted plenty of visitors over the years.
However, it has got to the point where local councillors and police are urging people to stay away from Lewes. Lewes Bonfire Night has many different societies running their own events (Image: Andrew Gardner/The Argus) Sussex Police has warned that the annual event creates a “unique challenge” in ensuring public safety due to the masses of people that attend and concerns over overcrowding. On the late afternoon of Bonfire Night, roads and train stations around the town are closed to try and prevent people from coming.
But why did the Lewes Bonfire Night become so popular and what is the history behind it? The history of Lewes Bonfire Night Bonfire Night was a concept started after the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where Guy Fawkes and his conspirators attempted to assassinate King James I of England in hopes of sparking a Catholic uprising. They had placed 36 barrels of gunpowder under the Parliament building but Fawkes was caught and tortured for information. Local authorities encourag.
