Blazing Battle isset for amazingbonfire night

Bonfire societies and drumming groups from all over the county will take part in a torchlit procession along the High Street before the Abbey is lit up with a stunning firework display.

The event is the culmination of hundreds of hours of hard work and fund-raising by Battel Bonfire Boyes.

The celebration gets underway at 10am on Saturday when the church bells will ring to signal the arrival of ‘The Oldest Guy in the World’ on the Abbey Green accompanied by Saxon Warriors and children’s procession.

The Information and souvenir stalls will open at that time.

The Society President will be judging the Children’s Guy and fancy dress Competition on the Abbey Green at 10.30am.

There will be a road closure in place from 6pm until midnight along the following roads: Powdermill lane, High Street, Upper Lake, Lower Lake and Station Approach.

There is strictly no parking along the procession route and cars left will be removed and kept over night at the car owners expense.

At 7.45pm a maroon will signal the departure of the procession from Market Road and it will proceed via the High Street and Lower Lake to Station Approach, returning to the Abbey Green where Battel Bonfire Boyes will enter the Abbey Gatehouse to keep the traditional involvement of Battle Abbey within the celebrations.

Having turned within the Abbey, Battel Bonfire Boyes and visiting societies will make their way back up the high street where they will turn and retorch at the Roundabout.

Making its way back down the High Street the procession will return to the Abbey Green where the bonfire will be lit to the traditional cry and the firework display will commence.

Matt Southam, of Battel Bonfire Boyes, said: “As we look forward to another fantastic bonfire celebrations I would like to remind people that this is a traditional event and may not be suitable for all.

“There were plenty of comments surrounding how smokey our bonfire was last year and while we have taken steps to reduce this a fire will still produce some smoke and I would ask people to be aware of their surroundings and perhaps avoid trying to view the procession from the area surrounding the Abbey Green.

“Please also remember to listen to all marshal instructions, stand clear as the procession passes and do not bring any of your own fireworks - we have enough ourselves.

“Finally I would just like to thank all the hard working members of Battel Bonfire Boyes, the organisations and businesses who have assisted with this years celebrations and the residents of Battle for their continued support.”