September may seem like an unusual month to start celebrating Bonfire Night but in Sussex it marks the start of the Bonfire Season. All the societies across Sussex (and two in Kent) take it in turns to host their annual torch lit processions, ending with a firework display, from September to November each year.
This year is a big year for the Crowborough Bonfire & Carnival Society (CBCS) as they are celebrating 70 years and of course this anniversary will be celebrated at their 2018 event to be held on Saturday 8th September.
CBCS was originally formed in 1897 when a group of people met at the Bricklayers Arms on Whitehill Road and organised the annual event until the start of WW1. It wasn’t until 1948 that the society reformed after representatives from the Royal British Legion and the Whitehill Sport Club got together and it’s been held annually ever since.
The event will kick off at 1.30pm on Chapel Green with plenty of children’s entertainment, stalls, refreshments and much more, including a Brass Band performance.
The evening’s entertainment will start at 6pm where you’ll also see many of the visiting Bonfire Societies joining in. It’s a great atmosphere and you’ll see many other Bonfire Societies supporting each other at their local events.
CBCS are delighted to announce that this year will see the Bournemouth Carnival Band leading the procession and also putting on a display before the procession leaves Chapel Green. Enjoy this as well as all the spectacular costumes from the various floats and tableau entries taking part in the procession. Make sure you have plenty of change in your pockets as you’ll hear the rattle of collection buckets as the procession passes by to raise funds to support local charities – this year the charities are:
- Crowborough Community First Responders
- Crowborough Darby & Joan Club
- Crowborough Citizens Advice Bureau
- Crowborough Care for the Carers
As you can imagine, organising an event of this size takes time and plenty of money to put on. There are 20 committee members who oversee organisation of the event and they recruit volunteers to assist on the evening with marshalling etc.
If you’d like to find out more about the society or even get involved in the committee, contact Nigel on 07880 880 160 or email Nickie at nickie.cbcs@btinternet.com
You can also follow the Society on Facebook ‘Crowborough Bonfire & Carnival Society’ and keep up to date with information on the main carnival as well as other fundraising events they hold throughout the year.
Crowborough Carnival & Bonfire
Saturday 8th September
Chapel Green, Crowborough
