Hundreds remember a true bonfire boy
MORE than 600 people took part in the funeral procession and service to remember a 'larger than life' Bonfire Boy.
Paul Wheeler, 54, a lifetime member of Commercial Square Bonfire Society who lived in Market Lane, Lewes, died on August 16 when he was hit by a car while pushing his bike across the A27.
On Tuesday, traffic through the town was stopped by police as hundreds of people joined bonfire societies in a procession from School Hill to St John Sub Castro Church in the Pells.
The church was packed out and around 100 people paid their respects from outside.
His widow Dawn said the support she had received and the turnout at Tuesday's service had been 'overwhelming'.
She told the Express: 'It was a fantastic turnout. We were blown away by it, it was overwhelming.
'It was an emotional day and me and the boys (Paul's sons Sam and Joe) are really grateful to everybody who helped and for what they've done over the last week.
'I think Paul would have laughed if he could have seen how many people turned up and the effort everyone made.'
Paul's coffin, which was draped in a Commercial Square banner, was carried from Coopers and Son funeral directors to the church by his eldest son Sam, 22, together with five other Bonfire Boys.
The service included a traditional folk song by the Lewes Operatic Society, of which Paul was a member, and a spirited rendition of
Jerusalem, Paul's favourite hymn which he used to belt out when he was a young head chorister at St Peter's Church in Brighton.
His mother Jean and younger son Joe, 21, both gave moving talks and past Commercial Square chairman John Richards and the society's artist, Peter Messer, also addressed the congregation.
Following the service, bonfire prayers were said outside the church and amid a chorus of firecrackers Paul's coffin was taken to Brighton for cremation.
Dawn said Paul didn't want his friends and family to be around for the cremation and would rather they stayed in Lewes and enjoyed themselves.
More fireworks followed at the Paddock at 2.30pm at the time of Paul's cremation.
A wake held at the Elephant and Castle, Commercial Square Bonfire Society headquarters, went on until the early hours and staff at the Gardener's Arms and the Lewes Arms, two of Paul's favourite Lewes pubs, were kept busy by his many friends.
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Weather for Lewes
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
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