The Banners of the Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society

​At the very front of any bonfire society in Sussex, during customary torchlit processions you will find the society’s ‘banner’, proclaiming to the crowds which society the members walking behind it proudly belong to. Originally, in the mid-19th Century, these banners were made of a fabric material held aloft with two wooden poles either side. However, at some point during the 20th Century these banners began to be fashioned out of wood and/or metal, resembling a placard, which was more practical and allowed them to carry fiery torch sticks in addition to the individuals of the party following it. It is convention should the torches during the procession begin to be extinguished, the torches of the Society banner should always remain lit! Let’s have a look at the banners which belong to Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society…

​The ‘Original’ Banner

The Society’s inaugural banner was designed by Brady and Neil and is a unique shape. The Society’s boar emblem is its focal point and our motto ‘Loyaulté me lie’ can be found at its base. This was constructed in parts by all founding members during the early months of C.P.B.S. in 2020. It was hand painted by Neil using heat-resistant paints and is made of solid wood, so is on the heavy side. At the rear of the banner, decorated in C.P.B.S. smugglers stripes, are five tubes to hold torches - this includes two wide tubes to bear chunkier torches which are used in the far eastern parts of Sussex.

​The ‘Bell’ Banner

This banner was hastily but effectively designed and digitally printed by Rob M., and constructed by Simon - Captain of Banners, all at a week’s notice to allow the Society to attend two bonfire events (termed ‘outmeetings’) on the same night in November 2021. Again, this is emblazoned with the boar iconography of C.P.B.S. The banner is in the shape of a bell - in reference to our HQ - the Six Bells pub. This is the Society’s most used banner at outmeetings and possesses three tubes to host torches.

The ‘Bonfire Boys’ Banner

The shield-shaped ‘Bonfire Boys’ Banner made its debut at Heathfield District Bonfire celebrations on Saturday 23rd October 2022 where fifty C.P.B.S. Members made this trip up the road to this outmeeting. This metal banner, designed by Brady, is in tribute to the village’s bonfire forefathers, the Chiddingly Bonfire Boys who were an established bonfire society whose celebrations are recorded in 1912 - see the ‘CPBS History’ page. This two-tubed striped banner embraces the letter styles and imagery of the 1910s and is the lightest of our banners (except the 'Humbugs' banner).

The 'Humbugs' Banner

This miniature banner was introduced for our juvenile section - the 'Chiddingly Humbugs' and made its debut at East Hoathly & Halland Bonfire on Saturday 9th November 2024. This creation was designed by Roz, printed by Rob M. And put together by Simon. This lightweight banner can host two torches.

The County Flag of Sussex

It is accustomed within C.P.B.S. to find the flag of the County of Sussex proudly leading the Smugglers’ ranks. During the Victorian and early 20th Century it was commonplace to find flags within the participants of Sussex’s bonfire torchlit processions, and this is our salute to these authentic times and celebrates this fine local tradition which we partake in. The six gold ‘martlets’ (mythical heraldic birds) on a field of blue has definitively represented Sussex since at least 1611, however is most probably derived from the 14th Century arms of Sir John de Radynden – ‘Knight of the Shire’ (medieval Member of Parliament) who bore six silver martlets upon blue. During his tenure, de Radynden provided 140 armed footmen and 400 archers from Sussex to campaign in France. It is said that the six martlets highlight the six ancient subdivisions of the county – Chichester, Arundel, Bramber, Lewes, Pevensey and Hastings.

​The Badges of the Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society

Another large part of Sussex Bonfire ways are badges! Firstly, there are ‘membership badges’ which have been used since time immemorial to determine and identify who is a member of a said bonfire society. It is also routine to receive one’s membership badge on a ‘Badge Night’ where much bonfire merriment occurs, usually at a Society’s headquarters. C.P.B.S. hosts its annual Badge Night during August, prior to the commencement of the Sussex Bonfire Season in September.

There are additionally ‘supporter badges’ which can generally be purchased as part of fundraising efforts. They are available to obtain whether a member of a bonfire society or not and worn by followers of a society to show support.

​Let’s also have a look at the badges produced by the Chiddingly Parish Bonfire Society over the years, including our ‘special badges’ which are also available to purchase…

MEMBERSHIP BADGES

2020 - This badge was given to those founding members which set the Society up at the Six Bells on Saturday 10th October 2020.
- Unavailable

2021 - Inspired by the famous photograph of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s visit to Chiddingly in 1950 and the Bonfire ‘prayer’ - “Remember, remember…”
- Available (Members Only)

Since 2022 - The Society has enjoyed a bold and simple design of membership badge with the respective year clearly marked in the centre, and all incorporate our boar symbol in a ‘couchant’ pose.
2022 - Unavailable
2023 - £1 - Limited Availability (Members Only)
2024 - Join C.P.B.S.

Committee Badges - Members of the C.P.B.S. Committee have adorned these 59mm badges, including relevant position, since 2023.
– Unavailable

SUPPORTER BADGES

2020 – The Society’s inaugural supporter badge includes the image of a Fordson Dexta tractor in its traditional blue and orange livery – owned by C.P.B.S. Vice-Chair Rob P. at the time and in allusion to the rural nature of Chiddingly. This also comprises of the expression “start ‘er up!” in reference to the starting up of the tractor and beginnings of a new society.
- Unavailable

2021 – The Society had two supporter badges in this year, the first being a blue boar, affectionally known as the ‘looney tunes’ badge in relation to the opening sequence to the 1930s American cartoon…
- Unavailable

2021 - … and a second badge which was designed following a competition at Chiddingly Primary School which, again, featured two tractors and six bells – the Society’s HQ.
£1 – Limited Availability

2022 – Subsequent to an internal badge competition within the Society, this design, crafted by Neil, was chosen as this year’s supporter badge which incorporates six bells, paying homage to C.P.B.S.’s headquarters.
£1 – In Stock

2023 – At the suggestion of Ollie and Bliss at the Society’s Annual General Meeting of this year, a badge in tribute of the much-cherished cheesy local delicacy – the ‘Paul’s Special’. A dish synonymous with the Six Bells pub and “the Pride of Chiddingly”.
£1 – In Stock

SPECIAL BADGES

Pewter Badge – Designed by Rob M. our beautiful pewter badge was produced by local craftsman Neil Turner.
£10 – In Stock

Enamel Badge - Again devised by Rob M. , our attractive and alluring enamel badge is a striking design which presents a Chiddingly boar’s head at its heart.
£5 – In Stock

2021 Herstmonceux Castle - This badge, of a medieval knight in the blues and gold of C.P.B.S., was given to the members who helped the Society at England’s Medieval Festival held at Herstmonceux Castle during the bank holiday weekend of August 2021.
- Unavailable

2022 Chiddingly Boars Stoolball - This Stoolball badge was allotted to participants who represented the Society in Cliffe Bonfire Society’s annual tournament of this fine Sussex game. The ‘Chiddingly Boars’ successfully won its group with 11-year old George Hardy defeating the entire South Street team single handedly!
£1 - Limited Availability

2022 Diamond Jubilee I - This year saw the late Queen Elizabeth II reach sixty since her accession to the British throne - the Diamond Jubilee. This badge is made up of the years 1952 to 2022 at the centre and a Union Jack in the Society’s colours surrounded by the wording “Send ‘er Victorious” and “Lovely Jubbly” - recalling misspelt Chinese-produced souvenir plates which had been produced earlier this year.
£1 - In Stock

2022 Diamond Jubilee II – This Jubilee badge was also produced without the exterior wording.
£1 - In Stock

2023 ‘Streets to Pekes’ - This large 59mm celebratory badge marked the first torchlit procession through the streets of Chiddingly for many decades. At its centre is seated a cat - the crest of the de Burgh (Burke or Bourke) family, owners of the 15th Century Pekes Manor for many generations. Pekes Manor would become the home of the Society’s new firesite in this year. Either side of this feline are two ‘rose en soleil’ in reference to the Society’s new second pioneer dress launched in this year, Richard III – Wars of the Roses
- Available

​2024 Burgess Hill Torch Tractor Team - This badge was presented to those members for their hard work with the tractor, at the back of the torchlit procession, collecting torches at Burgess Hill Bonfire this year - Hetti, Jevan, Lottie and Rob P.
- Unavailable

Chiddingly Chunderer - First awarded to Simon in 2021, after feeling (what shall we say?!)… a little worse for wear at Herstmonceux Castle, this title has been earned several times since at the Society’s Annual Awards Dinner for those members who have been a little queasy at official occasions.
- Unavailable

BADGES FOR SALE

If you wish to acquire the badges shown above, please contact [email protected] 
​Please note there will be an additional charge for postage and packaging.