FIRLE Bonfire Society is appealing for cash to help pay for legal expenses incurred as a result of the police investigation that followed the village's Bonfire Night last year.
Twelve members of the society faced prosecution for racism after an effigy of a gipsy caravan was blown up.
The members fought to prove their innocence until July this year when the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not go ahead with prosecuti
ons.
Said a Firle Bonfire spokesman: 'For nine months the lives of the Firle 12 were put on hold as they awaited the decision of the CPS, and finally common sense prevailed in July when it was announced that no charges would be brought.
'Life can now move on, both for the Firle 12 and the bonfire society who received fantastic support from Firle village, surrounding villages, nationally and beyond.
'However, in order to prove their innocence it was essential that the Firle 12 had legal advice and, although some elements of their case were covered by legal aid, the majority of this advice had to be paid for.
'The length of time the case took to conclude also meant that a great deal of legal support was required.
'As a result, the bonfire society is now faced with a substantial bill for legal fees and this is why we have launched an appeal.'
The sum owed by the society is believed to be between £1,000 and £2,000.
Anyone can make a donation to the Firle 12 Legal Fees Fund by paying into the society's bank account – Firle Bonfire Society Ltd, Sort Code: 72-00-00, Account No 313804508 – or by paying at the Ram Inn, Firle, or Firle Post Office and Store.
l Rory Love, Tory parliamentary canidate for Lewes, was at Firle Bonfire on Saturday. Afterwards he said: 'Last year's Firle Bonfire hit the headlines, quite undeservedly, for all the wrong reasons.
'Saturday's event was a great evening, and I wanted to demonstrate my support for the Firle 12 who have had a cloud hanging over them for much of the year.'
