Rye Bonfire
| Rye Bonfire | |
|---|---|
 Rye Bonfire 2024 | |
| Status | active |
| Frequency | annually |
| Location(s) | Rye, East Sussex |
| Coordinates | 50°57′09″N 0°44′14″E / 50.9526°N 0.7371°E |
| Attendance | c. 10,000 (2024) |
| Website | www |
The Rye Bonfire, also known as the Great Rye Fawkes Pageant, is an annual bonfire event in Rye, East Sussex, England. Run by the Rye and District Bonfire Society, the event occurs in November and includes a town parade, fireworks, and a bonfire usually featuring a boat burning.
Overview
[edit]The Rye Bonfire is an annual bonfire event, occurring every November to celebrate Guy Fawkes night. The event, started by a maroon, begins with a procession through the town, consisting of torch-wielding representatives from bonfire societies, Scorcher the dragon, and the Ryebellion drummers. The parade winds through the town of Rye, until ending at the Rye Salts where a bonfire, usually with a boat on top, is lit. The event then finishes with a firework display. The bonfire is organised by the Rye and District Bonfire Society, who fundraise throughout the year to be able to stage the event.[1][2][3][4]
As of 2024, the event costs c. £20,000 to stage, which is all financed by the fundraising activities of the society. The annual attendance is estimated to be c. 10,000.[3]
History
[edit]
The tradition and history behind the modern event, although not confirmed, has been researched. The boat burning custom started before the 1605 events that are commemorated by Guy Fawkes night, with the late 14th century posited as the likely beginning. At that time the Rye town was subject to invasion and attack by the French, and the inhabitants of Rye would implement a "scorched earth" policy and burn their boats rather than let them be captured. This led to the saying that "Rye Burns Its Boats". Following the lessening of the threat from France, the annual bonfire and boat burning continued, and became a night of "mob rule" and "settling of scores". In 1875 the head constable, Parker Butcher, did attempt to halt proceedings but was deposited into a burning boat instead. By the 20th century the event became largely lawful, with the grand procession, including floats, becoming known as a major feature from the 1950s.[5][6]
In 1947 the bonfire event, as documented by Pathé News, featured a large bonfire and a finale with fireworks.[7] Since the 1950s the procession has featured Scorcher, a mechanical fire breathing dragon that is controlled by an operator sitting inside the chest area.[5]
Following a cessation that began in the 1980s, the event was restarted in 1994 with comedian Spike Milligan, as "Rye Fawkes", lighting the bonfire.[8][3][9] In both 2023 and 2024 the local train station was closed during the event, according to the train operator this was "for reasons of public safety".[10][11] The 2024 event featured the usual parade route, Scorcher the dragon, fireworks, and an effigy of Guy Fawkes on top of the bonfire which satirised the government cuts to the winter fuel payment.[1]
Accolades
[edit]In 2024 the Daily Telegraph newspaper and the Country Living magazine both listed the Rye bonfire as one of the UK's best bonfire nights.[12][13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Hemsley, Andy (11 November 2024). "In 45 pictures: Burning boat is highlight of Rye bonfire celebrations". Sussex World. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Bruce, K (16 November 2023). "Rye Bonfire was a great success". Rye News.
- ^ a b c Stewart, James (24 October 2024). "Almost time for Rye Bonfire". Rye News.
- ^ Hemsley, Andy (13 November 2021). "Rye Bonfire: Everything you need to know". Sussex World. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ a b East, Neale (29 March 2014). "Violent origins of Rye's burning boats". Rye News. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Hemsley, Andy (11 November 2023). "Sussex bonfire celebration will be burning a boat tonight as part of a long standing tradition". Sussex World. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "GUY FAWKES WEEK (aka RYE BONFIRE CELEBRATIONS)". British Pathé. 1947. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Duff, Juliet (31 October 2024). "Scorcher – a favourite of the crowds". Rye News.
- ^ "Rye Fawkes". Rye & District Bonfire Society. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
- ^ Hemsley, Andy (5 November 2024). "Rye railway station to close from 3pm on Saturday due to bonfire celebrations". Sussex World. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Rye Bonfire: Train station closure for popular bonfire event". BBC. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Houghton, Amy (15 October 2024). "The UK's 12 best bonfire nights have been crowned for 2024". Time Out (magazine). Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Laskaris, Cara (4 October 2024). "10 of the best UK fireworks events for Bonfire Night 2024". Country Living. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Rye Bonfire at Wikimedia Commons
