Applications have been received for the 2019 championship. The draw will take place soon and this years competitors will be announced.
The 2018 competitors were:
1. Battel Bonfire Boyes
2. Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society
3. Lewes Borough Bonfire Society
Battel Bonfire Boyes
Battel Bonfire Boyes can trace their history back to 1646 where St Mary's Church allocated 2 shillings and 6 pence to gunpowder treason rejoicing. During the WW2 most bonfire societies disbanded until 1945, but Battel remained active and placed a single candle in the the Bull ring where the bonfire should have been located.
They have two main costumes; Anglo-Saxon and a convict. These are to do with the links with the Battel of Hastings and police escorts in the year of 1983 when there was trouble.
Lewes Borough Bonfire Society
The Lewes Borough Bonfire Society was founded in 1853 and is the oldest bonfire society in the old town of Lewes. In 1863, the famous Monstor Iron Key of the Ancient Borough of Lewes, weighing over 12 kilos, was carried in the procession and has done since then as a symbol of the freedom of the streets of Lewes. They also have two costumes; Tudor and smugglers. They currently have their November display in Lewes with all the other Lewes based bonfire societies on 5th November.
Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society
Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society has its roots in 1967 when Philip Amey and Peter Earl had their bonfires destroyed before November 5th and decided to make a big bonfire with a small procession of 40 friends and fireworks were let off. They have 3 costumes; Suffragettes, Military 1900-1950 and Medieval. They currently have their November display in Lewes on the 20th October.
