A huge effigy of Supt Parrott portrayed him clinging to a colossal rocket surrounded by bangers.

It was made as a backlash against a planned police crackdown on the dropping of bangers during processions.

But after furious protests from angry members of the town's six marching societies, police backed down.

Fortunately, the evening was a huge success and all of Commercial Square's 850 members enjoyed a wonderful night.

The effigy paraded through the town was a hit with fans of bonfire. Members of Commercial Square carried 6,500 torches throughout the processions and among those marching was oldest member Don Short, 84, and youngest member Caspar Motley, just seven weeks.

Mr Short has been marching for 69 years. Lifelong member Marion Weeding, who has been marching for 67 years, laid a wreath at the war memorial.

The evening started at 5.10pm with the children's procession which left the society's headquarters at the Elephant and Castle. The Procession of Remembrance followed, led by the society's floral tribute.

It proceeded with the illuminated banner to Commercial Square where Bonfire Prayers were recited. After the third procession, Commercial joined Borough and Waterloo societies for the united procession.


For the Grand Procession, Commercial Square was led by Captain of Banners Jon Hearn with the society's celebrated Indian badge. Next was Pioneer-in-Chief Geoff Allen with first and second lieutenants and the pio- neers magnificent in their long, feathered Indian head-dresses.

Also in the procession was Brighton Silver Band followed by a multitude of Indian Braves in their finely made costumes of sun dancers, medicine men, devil dancers and Apaches in full tribal regalia.

Then came the second pioneers in costumes from the American Civil War, the fiery blazing banner depicting the Mystical Thunderbird of the North American Indians; the Archbishop of St John Sub-Castro and effigies of Guy Fawkes and Pope Paul V. The third pioneers were in costumes from the period of the British Empire.

The effigy was created by Gary Ellis and his team. Lewes and Beddingham Brass led the smugglers in their yellow and black hoops followed by more banners and five blazing tar barrels.

At the fire site in Landport, the crowds were stunned by the magnificent fireworks display.