Ninfield bonfire back with a bang on Saturday night

Bonfire societies from across Hastings, Rother and beyond are expected to join the Ninfield Bonfire Society in a torchlit procession before the evening culminates with a grand firework display.

Ninfield is one of the newest bonfire societies in the area having formed in 2009 following “drunken ramblings in a pub”.

Later that year, the society resurrected the village bonfire .

Ninfield used to hold a bonfire many years ago, but prior to 2009, the last official one took place to celebrate the Queen’s Coronation.

The fun will kick off at 4pm tomorrow with a procession from Marlpits Lane to the recreation ground.

At 5pm, Emma Champion will be on hand to entertain the younger members of the crowd with some face painting at the Blacksmith’s Inn.

At 6.30pm the procession will assemble in Church Lane.

Please note that no parking will be allowed in Church Lane and there will be no access to the recreation ground from the Church Lane entrance next to Sparks Pavilion.

Half an hour later, at 7pm, the torchlit procession will set off, lighting up the faces of the crowd as it winds through the streets of the village.

The procession will head off from Church Lane, left along The Green, right at The Blacksmiths, along Manchester Road, Coombe Lane, left at Standard Hill, The High Street, The Green, Church Lane and onto the fire site.

Only bonfire society members will be allowed on the fire site.

Everyone else will access the recreation ground via a different entrance.

A bonfire chant will precede the lighting of the fire at 8pm.

At 8.30pm a grand firework display will light up the skies and bring the evening to an end.

A barbecue, hot fresh soup and other food will be available on the recreation ground for hungry revellers.

Anyone living in the area or planning on visiting the event is advised that there will be loud explosions between 4-9pm.

Members of Ninfield Bonfire Society will be armed with red buckets collecting money for the society’s chosen charities.

This year’s chosen charities are Ninfield Memorial Hall, St Michael’s Hospice and St John’s Ambulance.

For further information about Ninfield Bonfire Society, visit the group’s website at www.ninfieldbonfire.co.uk

Bonfire season will continue in Rother with the turn of Ewhurst and Staplecross on Saturday October 27, Battle on November 3, Rye on November 10 and Robertsbridge will bring the local season to a close for another year on November 17.