CPBS EVOLUTION
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With some evidence of bonfire celebrations that took place before the First World War, there are also first-hand reports of similar activities in the 1950’s and 60’s. A few pictures (see below) support this.
Since then, there is anecdotal remembrance of occasional bonfires, but nothing was formally under the auspices of a constituted Bonfire Society. The exception being the Chiddingly Festival Parade of 1993 when Firle Bonfire Society lead a procession in the village. A Bristow Bonfire video of which can be found at this link |
The Society in its current form was
re-established after a group of interested parties (Rebecca Gander, Neil Parkes, Simon Parks, Robert Puttick, Brady Ells & Esther Brooks-Ells) met in the Six Bells, Chiddingly on 10 October 2020. Following this first meeting a steering committee was put in place and the first members signed up. Once bonfire activities returned to Sussex after the pandemic CPBS attended their first outmeeting in 2021 at Mayfield. Subsequent outings were taken to Littlehampton, Rye and East Hoathly bonfires. CPBS also joined Lewes Borough Bonfire Society as a visiting society on 5 November 2021 in Lewes. GO HERE FOR FURTHER HISTORICAL INFO |
On 26 November 2022, CPBS were finally able to bring bonfire back into the village with a modest but successful event. Since then the society has continued to grow and flourish and with a new firesite in 2023 (courtesy of Pekes Manor), and an atmospheric procession route that starts in the heart of the village, our bonfire night is popular with spectators and the visiting societies that we can now welcome.
In 2023 we introduced a new pioneer costume – the Followers of King Richard III – last of the Plantagenets and whose badge we have adopted as part of our identify as well as his motto Loyaulté Me Lie" - which translates as Loyalty Binds Me. our adopted badge, the wild boar. For further information about all the costumes we wear GO HERE TO OUR COSTUME GUIDELINES
IN 2024, despite all the odds we defied Storm Bert and put on a full evening of celebrations raising over £300 for charity despite a lower turnout than usual due to pelting rain and storm force winds.
In 2025, as part of our 5th anniversary celebrations we've undergone a modest rebranding with a new logo and banners but our aims and objectives remain the same - to bring traditional Sussex Bonfire to Chiddingly with comradeship, community spirit and wholehearted enjoyment. We are most definitely NOT a secret society!
IN 2024, despite all the odds we defied Storm Bert and put on a full evening of celebrations raising over £300 for charity despite a lower turnout than usual due to pelting rain and storm force winds.
In 2025, as part of our 5th anniversary celebrations we've undergone a modest rebranding with a new logo and banners but our aims and objectives remain the same - to bring traditional Sussex Bonfire to Chiddingly with comradeship, community spirit and wholehearted enjoyment. We are most definitely NOT a secret society!
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