Category: General

Bishops do brekkie

Posted on by Sarah Monk

Pope Clement VI famously said that his papal predecessors “did not know how to be pope,” and hosted lavish meals where only he was allowed to eat with a knife, to safeguard against violence breaking out.

Happily, and much, much, much further down the clerical food chain, our wonderful SBS Archbishop Matt is playing holy host to the Bonfire Societies’ Bishops’ Breakfast next Thursday (November 4), and there will be cutlery available too.

This traditional gathering – usually very merry thanks to plenty of Harveys with their Eggs Benedict (it is Lewes after all) – will take place at our HQ The King’s Head, with pre sipping-of-Port action in the Priory Ruins.

Panic not if you see a lot of peeps in cassocks holding croziers and processing around the Shire pontif-icating that day. Saints preserve us and all that. (Whether they will be able to spread Saints Preserve on their croissants remains to be seen, particularly after a few pints). But miracles can happen, apparently.

Even in Lewes.

Photo courtesy of Ian Cumming.

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Grab your firesite tickets

Posted on by Sarah Monk

Our firesite tickets, priced at £10 each, are on sale at outlets across Lewes. Snap yours up from the Tourist Information Centre, The King’s Head, The Swan, and St Pancras Stores so you can see our firework display at the Convent Field on November 5.

You can also pick up our programme at the same venues which includes our procession routes for Bonfire Night.

If you are a paid up member of SBS, you get free access to the firesite on the night as long as you have your up to date Membership Card and 2021 Badge with you.

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Call for martyrs’ cross carriers and marshals

Posted on by Sarah Monk

If you’re an SBS member and a buccaneer, can you carry one of the martyrs’ crosses in our procession on the Fifth?

The crosses are very light and we have special holders so anyone can manage one. It’s a very moving part of our procession as the crosses commemorate the martyrs who were burnt at the stake outside the Old Star Inn where the War Memorial stands today.

We are also looking for a few more marshals to keep our pirate ranks safe and sound. If you can help, please email buccaneers@southoverbs.com

This request is for current SBS members only.

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Join the Firesite Force

Posted on by Sarah Monk

We are looking for more Southover Bonfire Society members to join the SBS Firesite Force!

Can you help us get our tip top Convent Field firesite ready for the Fifth or help with the tidy up afterwards, or any bits in between? We really do need volunteers to lend a hand and join the Firesite Team between November 2 and November 7.

We will meet at the Mountfield Road car park at 9am on volunteer days. Gloves and training will be provided. You will need to register at the start of each day and we will be doing a quick induction for everybody to the site and taking emergency contact details etc. There will be members of the Firesite Team on hand to help out on each day to answer and assist you.They will be wearing red jumpers or fleeces with SBS Firesite Team written on them.

Please contact Jim Painter, Firesite Captain, at firesite@southoverbs.com with your details and let him know which days you would be able to help out.

Here’s the jobs:

Tuesday November 2
Fence erecting around the pyro site; oversee delivery of the bonfire sand; and set up a site office

Wednesday November 3
Set up fencing, assist with building the bonfire

Thursday November 4
More fence erecting round the field, and more bonfire building!

Friday November 5
People to move fencing; place crosses on the field; build the bonfire; put up site effigies and set up lighting

Saturday November 6
Take down fencing at the fire site and pyro site; collect up litter (especially good for children – lovely exercise!); clear the bonfire patch

Sunday November 7
People to help check the field for litter and make sure hire equipment is in the right place for collection.

Thanks in advance for any assistance that you can offer!

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Announcement regarding bonfire 2020

Posted on by hugs

From The Chair, Directors and SBS Committee

As we have shared with you over the months of this pandemic, we have been in ongoing discussions through BONCO and with our SBS committee members and the police to work out possible scenarios for the 5th, while protecting the health and safety of our members, their families, the public and the emergency services.

We have been trying to look at every option in an ever-changing environment. Sadly, we have reached the tough decision that we are not going to be able to host our annual celebrations on November 5th this year.

We are all very disappointed, as we know you will be, but with the advice from Government and health professionals unlikely to change this year, plus the threat of a second wave, we cannot compromise on health and safety.

All we can do is plan to be back next year – better than ever. Please lookout for ways you can get involved as we set our sights on a return to bonfire, SBS-style, in 2021.

Advance!!!!

Best wishes,

Pat O’Toole
Chair Southover Bonfire SocietyFacebooktwitter

Our final Badge Night – November 4!

Posted on by Sarah Monk

Our final Badge Night is taking place at our HQ, The King’s Head, on Monday November 4 from 7pm-9pm.

There’ll be costumes for sale, plenty of wonderful SBS merchandise and the chance to grab your badge and membership card for you and your family so you can make sure you can process on the 5th.

In order to that, please renew in advance of Badge Night by following this link to the membership login: https://membermojo.co.uk/southoverbs/yourmembership

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2nd Badge Night October 27

Posted on by Sarah Monk

Our second Badge Night is taking place at our HQ, The King’s Head, on Sunday October 27 from 6pm-8pm. There’ll be costumes for sale, plenty of wonderful SBS merchandise and the chance to grab your badge and membership card for you and your family so you can make sure you can process on the 5th.

In order to that, please renew in advance of Badge Night by following this link to the membership login: https://membermojo.co.uk/southoverbs/yourmembership

The last Badge Night of 2019 is on Monday November 4.

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