Documentary Photography – Lewes Bonfire Night
Each bonfire society has procession marshals to keep the spacing between the participants even and to maintain order in the marches.
This documentary photography was submitted to Edge of Humanity Magazine by Documentary Photographer and Photojournalist Nathaniel White.
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From project Lewes Bonfire Night by Nathaniel White.
17 burning crosses are carried through the streets to commemorate the 17 protestant martyrs burned in barrels during the Marian persecutions.
A bonfire the size of a house is lit.
Remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. I see of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
Every year on the 5th, the small East Sussex town of Lewes is set ablaze by the bonfire night celebrations. Of the seven bonfire societies the town is host to six who have their celebrations on the night of the 5th. These celebrations include processions in costume, racing down the street whilst towing burning barrels and throwing fireworks at people dressed as bishops and blowing up effigies of Guy Fawkes, the Pope, Putin, or David Cameron and a pig’s head.
Torches are lit at the start of the South Street Bonfire Society’s junior procession.
The South Street Bonfire Society, led by one of the Archbishops sets off on their procession route.
At the fireworks display, the Archbishop gives a speech, accompanied by his retinue, while members of the crowd throw bangers and firecrackers at them.
A flag bearer waits in position of the procession to start.
All the procession congregate at the war memorial in the centre of town and lay a wreath in remembrance.
Each bonfire society has a different theme for costume.
Flares are lit by members of the Cliffe Bonfire Society.
Once the processions have met, each one then goes to their separate bonfire site for the fire and fireworks display.
The finale of the junior procession.
Many thanks to Dilly Barlow and the South Street Bonfire Society.
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By Nathaniel White