First, a quick apology for the lack of posts last week, it was holiday time and I try to cut myself off from the internet whenever I go away…
Now, back to our scheduled programming…
Lewes (Pronounced “Loo-is” for my North American friends), a small town just north east of Brighton with a population of around 15,000. Lovely place, nice pubs and home to one of my favourite events of the year, the Lewes Bonfire, or Bonfire Night – Guy Fawkes Night celebrations on the 5th of November is arguably the town’s most important annual event.
In Lewes this event not only marks the date of the uncovering of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, but also commemorates the memory of the seventeen Protestant martyrs burnt at the stake for their faith during the Marian Persecutions.
The celebrations, which controversially involve burning effigies of the Pope and other timely figures (This year saw Gaddafi getting lit up), are the largest and most famous Bonfire Night celebrations in the country with an average of 50,000 people coming into town to watch the processions, dodge “Rooks” (small firecrackers usually dropped near your feet by the procession) and enjoy the fireworks displays.
Here’s a small selection of shots from the night. Many thanks to James McCauley, Kate Benjamin and Rob Orchard for making the annual event even more enjoyable.
