Firle 12 avoid prosecution
BONFIRE societies in Sussex breathed a sigh of relief this week following the news that 12 members of Firle Bonfire Society are not to be prosecuted over their controversial effigy of a travellers' caravan.
The case had been under consideration by the Crown Prosecution Service for months following a formal complaint about the effigy by the Commission for Racial Equality.
There was a general view among most bonfire societies in the county that Firle's effigy - prompted by an unwanted visitation by travellers last year - had gone too far, but that prosecution was unwarranted.
Bonfire's tradition of using effigies to make an emphatic point to the rest of the world was considered by some to be under threat.
The CPS decision was welcomed by a spokesman for Lewes Bonfire Council, MP Norman Baker, and by the Firle members themselves.
The issue hit the headlines after a local woman Patricia Knight took exception to the firing of a caravan with cartoon faces at the windows and a stark message about Pikeys.
She voiced her concerns to the media, and the matter was taken up by the CRE and a support organisation for travellers. Ms Knight later said that she did not want to see the bonfire society members prosecuted.
The 12 members of the society were arrested and released on police bail in mid November and the threat of court action has hung over them ever since.
As well as focussing national attention on the traditions of Bonfire in Sussex, the case brought under closer scrutiny the problems arising from travellers setting up camp in inappropriate areas, and the laborious procedures required to move them on.
Debate around the case also underlined the inadequate provision of sites for travellers in East Sussex and in the country in general.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lewes
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
