Fiery fun as Battle celebrates its biggest night of the year

The day will begin with a bang at 6am when Battel Bonfire Boyes will signal the start of procedings with a maroon.

At 10am church bells will herald the arrival of the Oldest Guy In The World on the Abbey Green, accompanied by Saxon Warriors and the children’s procession, featuring the Rubbish Drummers.

The children’s fancy dress competition and Guy making competition will be judged on the Abbey Green at 10.30am.

At 7.45pm another maroon will signal the departure of the procession from Market Road.

The procession, which as usual will include visiting bonfire societies and drumming groups, will make its way down the High Street and Lower Lake to Station Approach. It will turn at Station Approach and return to the Abbey Green, where the Battel Bonfire Boyes will enter the Abbey Gatehouse to keep the traditional involvement of Battle Abbey within the celebrations.

The procession will then turn and head back up the High Street, re-torching at the roundabout, before making one final trip down the High Street to Abbey Green, where the bonfire will be lit.

The firework display will start at around 9.30pm.

Road closures will be in place between 6pm and midnight.

A collection will take place on the night, with all money going to local good causes.

Anyone who would like to take part in the Guy competition is asked to bring it to the Abbey Green ready for judging at 10.30am.

A £20 prize is up for grabs for individuals, or £100 for a group or organisation.

Guys should be made of recycled, non-toxic material.

The winning Guy will take pride position on top of the ‘normus gurt bonfire’ on the Green, with the runner-ups placed around the bottom.