BONFIRE SOCIETY MADE HOMELESS

Borough Bonfire Society, the oldest society in Lewes, keeps its firework launching tubes, torch carts and torch-making equipment in a storage area at Upper Broyle Farm but the local authority says this breaches planning law.

Said John Winter, chairman of the 400-member society, based at the Royal Oak: 'We have been based in Ringmer for the past 20 years but now we are homeless.

'We need help. We need storage space about the size of a double-garage, or perhaps even a large container.

'It needs to be in Lewes or within about six miles of it.'

Added Mr Winter: 'I'm not saying we won't be in the 5th if we don't get a storage area. We will get there one way or another, even if we have to make our torches in members' gardens.

'But, clearly, a society the size of ours needs a central depot where we can store our materials and make our torches.

'I just hope someone out there can help.'

John can be contacted on 01273 471014.

Commercial Square Bonfire Society has a similar problem, having had to vacate its storage shed next to the Elephant and Castle after 150 years residence because of re-development.

But its problem is not so acute because members have premises outside Lewes for making set pieces and torches.