1606 – Following the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, an act of Parliament ‘For a Public Thanksgiving to Almighty God every year on the 5 th of November’, required the ringing of the church bells and the conducting of a service in every parish church in England . It may be assumed that Lewesians fully complied.
1679 – Following popular hysteria provoked by Titus Oates revelations, Pope burning processions were witnessed in London & Lewes.
1813 – The diary of the late John Holman [High Constable of Lewes] gives us our first glimpse of things to come by the entry ‘November 5 th Gunpowder Plot observed by the boys – a fire on Gallows Bank. Passed off without any particular accident’.
1829 – Celebrations take on a new character. The custom of dragging blazing tar barrels through the streets was introduced and the use of fireballs became common.
1831 – In an effort to stop these dangerous practices, the magistrates issued cautions but the ‘boys’ displayed even greater energy.
1832 – An attempt to stop proceedings failed.
1838 – Great rioting took place with several arrests being made and fines of up to £15 were imposed. A local magistrate, Mr Whitfield JP had a ‘sharp’ encounter with the ‘boys’ on Cliffe Bridge which led to the origins of throwing the blazing tar barrel into the river.
1841 – Special Constables were sworn in to stop the celebrations on the 5 th . The bonfire boys armed themselves, which unfortunately led to more than twenty rioters being sent to prison for up to two months.
1842 – Proceedings were more orderly and a band of music was introduced for the first time.
1846 – Another attempt to clear the ‘boys’ from the streets led to more rioting and another magistrate, Mr Blackman JP being seriously injured.
1847 – One hundred and seventy of the ‘principal tradesmen’ and other ‘respectable inhabitants’ were summoned to be sworn in as special constables. On their way to a meeting on November 5 th they were attacked by bonfire boys in the High Street. Tar Barrels were lit and many incidents occurred. The police formed a chain across Keere Street and some of the ‘boys’ were arrested. The next day one hundred of the A division of the Metropolitan Constabulary arrived and the excitement in Lewes that evening was running high. It was an incident involving a mail-gig from Brighton which brought things to a head. Lord Chichester read the Riot Act on the steps of County Hall and gave the crowd five minutes to disperse. In the free fight that ensued many of the Metroploitan Police were injured, however the streets were eventually cleared.
1850– The “death of Glory” boys are invited back intom the town. The fire is lit back in its traditional location outside County Hall, 5,000 people listen to the first “Lord Bishops” speech.
1852-first organised processions in the town of Lewes.
1853-The first fully costumed bonfire processions in the UK, dressed in the now familiar blue and white striped guernseys, Lewes Town Bonfire Society enthrall the massive crowds. The event was captured for posterity by local artist Thomas Henwood, the local papers wrote extensive articles on this the first ever organised costumed event.
1859 Lewes Town Bonfire Society becomes Lewes Borough Bonfire Society, this is to avoid overshadowing the newer societies now forming in the Town
1863 LBBS are granted the freedom of the streets of Lewes on 5th November, The giant key of the town signifying this freedom is carried for the first time in processions. it has been carried in every celebration since.
The friendly handshake is established, this takes place on Cliffe bridge and is to bring to an end the intense and frequently rough house meetings of the Cliffe & Borough membership on the 5th Both sopcietys pass each other and members shake hands.
1899-The borough introduce the 17 martyrs into the celebration. A new banner, presented to the ladies of the Borough society is unfirled. it shows Richard Woodman and 9 others who were burnt at the stake in Lewes at on combined martyrdon in 1557.
1905 -The authorities ban all bonfires on the streets of the Borough from 1906. Cliffe are unaffected, LBBS & CSBS who had been close since the 1855 decide to unite for a 3 year period retaining both societies names. in 1906 4 senior members are arrested & charged after allegedly dropping their torches in a pile to sing the National Anthem at the end of the evening. A two day hearing ridicules the police, and charges of lighting a bonfiore on a public street are dismissed.
1914-1920 – DORA, Defence Of the Realm Act stops any form of bonfire activity.
1921-Women take up official positions in the society for the first time, women & girls had been admitted as members since the 1870’s
1922- Borough march slowly in darkness to Chopins funeral march, to the towns New War Memorial. A wreath is laid, the “Last Post” played, a minutes silence is observed bare headed, After “Revielle” torches are lit and the society marches away to the music of the band. The LBBS ceremony has changed little since then, is still is the most important & 1st order of business each year, The society receives much praise for this part of our evening.
1928 – The traditional blazing tar barrel was not heaved into the river off Cliffe bridge due to works laying a new gas main. The evening was also exceptionally foggy, not helped by the bonfires. Fireworks were had to see in the smoggy atmosphere.
1933- at the request of the police, and a leak on the gas main, the blazing barrel is not heaved off Cliffe Bridge.
1939-1944 Most activities cease for the war. LBBS members along with collegues from other societies form a committee to prepare for a victory celebration and resumption of celebrations after the war.
1945– LBBS take part in a VE day torchlit procession all around the town, all the towns bonfire boys and girls who were available united for this occasion. Nov 5th went ahead as normal with a renewed enthusiasm. LBBS discontinue display of religious elements within our processions. whilst supporting the right of other societies to determine their own policies.
1950 – The Borough, Commercial Square , Southover and South Street unite in one Grand Procession.
1954 – A Blazing Key is carried for the first time in our procession.
1955 – The Borough was the first society to have their fire and proceedings filmed by the famous Walt Disney Film Company.
1958 – Bert Munt was made a life member of the Society, unfortunately he passed away shortly afterwards.
1960 – Celebrations were cancelled due to bad flooding in the town. However, the wreaths were still placed on the War Memorial. Eric Winter & Ted Over took LBBS to Chailey Heritage where torchlit processions and a firework display entertained the children. a number of the children were able to dress up in costumes provided by the society.
1963– LBBS hold their bonfire on farm land at Landport Bottom. , They had moved from Sheepfair due to the close proximity of Race horses in training. 60 years later the farm land is now a nature reserve owned by LTC but still the location of our fire and aerial displays etc. This is the longest continually used firesite in Lewes.
1964 – Borough took a leading role in the Battle of Lewes Celebrations and was solely responsible for the illuminations of Cliffe Hills.
1967 – The Borough celebrations were recorded by Mr Bob Danvers-Walker on BBC radio 4
1971 – Borough won the Bonfire Council Cup. Commercial Square amalgamated with us at the fire.
1973 – The Society’s motto ‘Death or Glory’ was re-introduced into the procession and the first torch lit procession in Europe – Blois , France took place.
1977 – The Borough led Her Majesty the Queen to light her Jubilee Beacon in the Great Park at Windsor.
1978 – Full-scale live television coverage took place by the BBC. The Borough wins the Pioneer Cup.
1979 – Borough led the procession to Buckingham Palace for the ‘Carols for the Queen’. Borough retained the Pioneer Cup.
1981 – Mr Edward (Ted) Over, one of Lewes’ much loved Bonfire Boys died following an illness that prevented him from attending the bonfire celebrations for the first time in thirty five years. He had been Pioneer Chief and Treasurer of the Society.
1986 – Borough took part in the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics at Brighton and were filmed on the 5 th for German Television.
1989 – Borough suffered the sad loss of our President, Dr Pat Nicholl. He was to be sadly missed.
1992 – The Police & Lewes District Council tried to impose a code of practice on the Bonfire Societies. If enforced it would have stopped the traditions that make Lewes Bonfire unique. The Societies stood united to force the authorities to withdraw their proposals.
1993 – Borough won the First and Second Pioneer classes at the Bonfire Fancy Dress Competition.
1994 – Mr John Brooks ‘Lord Bishop of the Borough’ celebrated thirty years service.
1996 – Borough won the Ladies & Gents Pioneer Cups as well as the Best Male and Female costumes of the evening.
1998 – A splendid new banner depicting the ‘Olde Borough Bonfire Boys’ was proudly carried for the first time.
2000 –Borough won the Points Cup, Second Pioneer Cup, Ladies and Gents Pioneer Shields and Best Male and Female costumes at the Bonfire Fancy Dress Competition.
2001 – Mr Eric Winter, life member and former President and Chairman of the Society sadly passed away. An irreplaceable Bonfire Boy. The Borough won the Points Cup for the second year running.
2002 – Borough won the Points Cup for the third year running.
2003 – The Borough celebrated it’s 150 th Anniversary! For the fourth year running the Borough won the Points Cup at the Bonfire Council Fancy Dress Competition. Miss Sein Goacher became the youngest and first female Commander in Chief at the age of 24.
2004 – Borough retained the Pioneer Cup
2005 – The 400 th Anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot! Borough celebrated with a fantastic display of costumes and a record breaking forty foot effigy of Guy Fawkes! As guests of Mr Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, members of the Society visited the House of Commons and for only the second time Bonfire Prayers were recited within the walls.
2009 – Lee Pickering won the Best Dressed Gentleman of the evening at the Bonfire Council Fancy Dress Competition.
2010 – On their first outing of the season Borough won Best Dressed Visiting Society at Uckfield. At the end of the season Borough had won the best dressed society at outmeetings for 2010.
2010 – Borough won the BONCO costume compertition by 15 points.
2012 – The Borough featured in a BBC4 documentary, “The Unthanks – A Very English Winter”, a programme about old English traditions.
2013 – The Borough, along with the other bonfire societies, in association with Harvey’s brewery ran the bar at the Gentlemen of the Road Tour in the Convent Field in Lewes.
2013 – Historic Iron Key of Lewes, denoting the freedom of the town that Lewes Borough enjoys on the night of 5th November, re-presented to the society by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex and Mayor of Lewes.
2014 – The Borough, along with the other Lewes societies celebrated the 750th anniversary of the battle of Lewes which originally took place on 14th May 1264.
2015 – The Borough win the bonfire societies annual raft race & build a world record 58ft effigy of Guy Fawkes on the fire site.
2016 – The Borough win the annual raft race for the second year running.
2017 – “Zulu Tradition”, a company of Zulu singers & dancers from KwaZulu Natal joined in our procession.
2018 – The Borough retain the Lewes Bonfire Societies 7 a side football cup.
2020 – Covid restrictions put the nation into virtual isolation resulting in the cancellation of bonfires & processions on the 5th November. However, on the 4th, six of our members in full costume attended the war memorial along with a bugler & our bonfire liason officer. A Borough Zulu in full costume laid the wreath. This was the final act by one of bonfires most spectacular Pioneer costumes. LBBS Zulus 1947-2020
2021 – For one year only our 1st Pioneers reflected “Nursing Through the Ages” from Florence Nightingale to the present day NHS. This was the Borough’s way of showing our appreciation and gratitude to the NHS for all their hard work both before and especially during the Covid emergency. Huge cheers rang out from the public as we walked through the streets of Lewes.
2022 Celtic Warriors are 1st seen as our 1st Pioneer Group
2023 Serious rainfall causes some low lying fire sites to be closed to the public or restricted in numbers . LBBS with our scenic firesite up at Landport Bottom had no such issues and accommodated additional visitors . The night was not without drama. just before the off Nevill Road was 30 cm deep in flood water. ESCC worked wonders and cleared it before we had to use that road to our firesite.
LBBS lost it’s two most senior members. Elfreda Brown joined us in 1935 and was the the last of our prewar members, a life member since 2002. we still carry today banners designed and painted by Elfreda in 1972.. Joyce Over joined LBBS in 1945 shortly after her marriage, with husband Ted they were part of the dynamic team that established LBBS as the leading post war society. a life member since 1979 for decades, she filled senior positions in the society, Both Joyce & Elfreda remained in close contact with LBBS and will be fondly remembered.