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Wilson, our doggedly determined prize torch-maker and author of the Ruff Guide to Bonfire is primed and ready for our first Sunday torchmaking session for SBS members on Sunday (Sept 4) and every Sunday until we’re done making 3,500 of them we need for Bonfire Night. Torchmaking (with training) is taking place at our HQ The Swan Inn, 9.30am til 11.30am. STOP PRESS: We have made all our torches for 2022 so you can now have a lie-in!
Medieval magic is back in all its glory at our fantastic Feast of St Pancras May Fayre which returns to Lewes Priory Park on Saturday and Sunday May 14 & 15 2022.
It’s Southover Bonfire Society’s 11th year of fun for all the family and this year we have some fabulous new attractions joining our favourites including bonkers games to test your skills such as smashing crockery, rolling swedes, splatting rats and very moist wet stocks to pop your nearest and dearest in.
Plus there’s crafts people, a treasure island, fab tombola, a brilliant plant and garden stall, and plenty of opportunities to win some great prizes. We’ve also got an ale and hearty bar, wood fired pizzas and stalls with other delicious and hard-to-resist culinary delights.
What’s more it’s also going to be a biggie this year with hundreds of re-enactors recreating the Battle of Lewes on the streets of our town so there’s plenty of action of the armour-suited variety taking place over the two days. Can you hear the chainmail and swords clanking people?
Feel free to dress up in medieval garb for this brilliant family event.
Entry is absolutely free and the fun takes place from 12noon to 5pm both days. Entry via Cockshut Road, Southover, Lewes, BN7 1HP. Close to Lewes railway station too.
Follow us on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/LewesMayFayre
https://www.instagram.com/southoverbonfiresociety/ https://twitter.com/SouthoverLewes
Website: http://www.southoverbs.com/
If you’d like to find out more about the Battle of Lewes, check out http://www.battleoflewes.com/
Watch out for more info and gird yer medieval loins people!! Advance!!
Thanks to everyone who bought a firesite ticket; coughed up for our action-packed programme; and said a Bonfire prayer with us at the very end of the night.
Thanks to our members who make our Society so fantastic to be a part of.
Thanks to our countless volunteers who put it all together – and it does actually take 364 days to do it (and we always need more Society members to lend a hand).
We are now knackered. And that’s official.
Advance to 2022!
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!
If you or your family would like to get more involved in the Society as a volunteer or even join one of our many brilliant Bonfire teams who help build our Tab, run our firesite, and organise great events such as the annual Lewes May Fayre – to name just a few – please pop along to the King’s Head on Sunday September 8 from 3pm-5.30pm for our Volunteers Event. You’ll be able to meet the teams and get plenty of advice on how to make the most of your SBS membership. There are a few great surprises in store plus limited editions of our brand spanking new pewter badge will also be on sale.Email chair@southoverbs.com for more info!
Our official torch making sessions kick off this coming Sunday September 1 from 9.30am-12noon at The Swan. All members are invited to come along and make their share of torches ready for the 5th. Experienced torch makers will be on hand to show all the family how the best bonfire torches in Lewes are made. The refurbished yard at The Swan means we have an ‘all weather’ venue, so even if it’s raining there is cover and rumours abound that there’ll be plenty of cake and the chance to get to know other SBS-ers as you twist, staple and wire.
Welcome to the start of the 2019 Bonfire season! We hope that you are getting the most out of your membership with SBS and will renew again this year for more fiery frolics! Although membership renewals commence in September, work goes on behind the scenes all year to raise money and prepare. This is my first year as Chair of SBS and I am asking for your help.
Continue reading “Volunteer Night – a message from the Chair” 
Southover Open Gardens is back for 2019 with a trail of secret gardens to explore in Lewes on Sunday June 9 from 2pm – 5pm (some gardens open til 6pm). Entry is by ticket only at £5, kids go free. The event is hosted by Southover Bonfire Society and is raising funds to buy some of the fireworks Lewes is famous for.
All members should by now have received notification of the AGM. The notice can also be downloaded here (PDF). We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 28 April 2019, at The Rook Inn, The Dripping Pan, Mountfield Rd, Lewes. The bar will be open from 6:00 pm with the meeting starting at 7:00 pm.
If you are interested in becoming a committee member, please contact the Secretary at secretary@southoverbs.com and full details will be sent to you. The deadline for applications is Friday 12 April 2019.
After the AGM there will be a ‘meet the committee’ session so please come and say hello.
Note: for any member who cannot make the meeting but would like to vote in the committee election a proxy voting form will be available on this site nearer the time.
Book your tickets now for the SBS Annual Dinner and Celebration. Come for the food, a drink or a bit of both – tickets must be bought in advance if you want to enjoy the meal. Music, fun and good company guaranteed, dancing optional.
