Another bonfire society pulls out of Lewes event

In a statement, the bonfire society said it had made the decision due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

It comes after Cliffe Bonfire Society pulled out of the event last month.

It, too, said it had to make the ‘difficult’ decision to protect its members’ and community’s safety amid the virus.

A spokesman for Commercial Square Bonfire Society said: “Sadly, it is most unlikely that the coronavirus pandemic will be over, nor the virus fully controlled by November 2020.

“Consequently, it is doubtful that the government guidelines and legislation will change significantly in the coming months, particularly regarding mass gatherings and social distancing.

“The difficulties of ensuring compliance by all participants and spectators with the measures likely to still be in place then by a group of part-time volunteers would seem to be insurmountable.

“There is also the possibility that asymptomatic carriers or those who should be self-isolating might choose to attend the celebrations with possible devastating effect on the health of others present on the night.

“Our absolute regret at having to cancel this year’s event is offset only by the confidence that we will return to the streets of Lewes in all our splendour when it is safe for all involved to do so.”

The spokesman added that the society does not want to cause the emergency services, together with St John Ambulance and others, any ‘unnecessary diversion when their resources may be needed or better employed elsewhere’.

The decisions by both Commercial Square Bonfire Society and Cliffe Bonfire Society, along with other Sussex bonfire societies which have said they will not stage events, raises the possibility that the whole Lewes event could be cancelled.

The Express approached all other five bonfire societies that take part in the event.

Mick Symes, speaking on behalf of the Borough Bonfire Society, commented: “At a committee meeting we decided to defer a decision until the routine scheduled Lewes Bonfire Council (Bonco) takes place in a couple of weeks. We will discuss the situation with colleagues in the town and will then be in a position to make a statement.”

Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society, Southover Bonfire Society, South Street Bonfire Society and Waterloo Bonfire Society have not yet responded.

Many town and village societies have already cancelled their own bonfire events. These include Uckfield, which stages the first event of the season; Heathfield, which held its first display for many years in 2019, Mayfield and Seaford, which announced in June it was postponing the event due to Covid-19.

Former MP and Lewes resident Norman Baker said he was ‘certain’ Bonfire will not go ahead.

“Many societies such as Chailey and Seaford which take part in the Lewes event, have cancelled bonfires and this makes it almost certain that Lewes will not now take place,” he added.

A statement issued on behalf of Lewes District Council also said: “The decision by Cliffe is theirs alone. The multi-agency group, of which Lewes District Council is part of, has not made a decision on Lewes bonfire at this time.”

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