Tribute to Rye Bonfire deputy chairman following his death

Bob Booth, who was described as being a 'Bonfire Boy since childhood', died on the same day the Rye Bonfire event was due to take place.

This year's celebration was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Paying tribute to Bob, one of the society's directors said he was 'well loved by his bonfire family'.

On Saturday (November 16), Neale East, secretary of the Rye Bonfire Society, said: "We have been made aware this morning, on what would have been Rye Bonfire Day, that our dear colleague Bob Booth, a Bonfire Boy since childhood, passed away last night.

"Bob’s family have given their permission for us to circulate this very sad news to our members on a day when, if he had been with us, he would have been guarding the bonfire last night against accidental firing and tonight to stop youngsters getting up to mischief dancing on the embers.

"Bob worked tirelessly not only as our deputy chairman but as a rank and file Bonfire Boy taking his part in keeping the whole society functioning, fund raising, torch making, bonfire building, bonfire clearing up on Sunday. You name it, Bob was there helping out.

"As one of our directors said this morning on hearing the news, he was well loved by his family and by his Bonfire family. Bob will be sorely missed."