Threatened bonfire spectacular may be reprieved

The good news is that hopefully a new lower insurance quote will mean the celebrations '” one of the top three events in the town's year '” can go ahead.

The fantastic torchlight procession, huge beach bonfire and stunning firework display which bring thousands of people flocking into Hastings were under threat because of the soaring insurance costs.

The bonfire society was left reeling after they had an insurance quote of a whopping 5,880 for a 10million liability. It was a massive increase on last year's insurance of 1,600.

But after a week spent frantically phoning around different insurance companies in search of a lower premium there was good news from Keith Leech, chairman of Hastings Bonfire Society, on Wednesday.

"I have been calling lots of insurance companies and should be able to get it down to 2,800," said Keith.

"I had it quoted on the phone but I won't believe it till the end of the week when I get it in black and white. I am just waiting to see it."

Even that figure will be a tough sum to raise for the bonfire society, said Keith.

"It's still going to be difficult and that is what all the other bonfires are going to have to put up with."

Keith said people had been horrified over the threat posed to the celebrations with the huge insurance quote as revealed in last week's Observer.

But he's "very, very hopeful" that the bonfire, which last year brought record crowds of more than 20,000 flooding into town, will go ahead.

Hopefully every bonfire society in Sussex will be at the big event which starts at 7.30pm on October 11 '” it's held in October to celebrate Hastings Day.

"We will be making 1066 torches and there will be around 800 in the procession," said Keith.

The society had a meeting with the emergency services and the council and there were absolutely no problems over the event itself, he said.

The council had been incredibly supportive, he added.