Registered Charity No 1049810

HASTINGS BONFIRE
Saturday October 13th 2007

Hastings Bonfire will be on Saturday October 13th this year.

Each year HBBS hold their FREE event close to Hastings Day (14th October). It is part of a tradition that dates back to 5th November 1605 when an attempt to blow up the King and Parliament was prevented. Guy Fawkes Day is traditionally held on that date, but in Sussex we have so many Societies that the only way they can come together to celebrate the event in each town is by holding the celebrations on different dates, Lewes and Battle, being the oldest Societies taking the dates closest to November 5th.

Hastings Week is a whole collection of events held to celebrate the Battle of Hastings on October 14th 1066 and the Bonfire Celebrations in Hastings form a major event during that week.

Hastings Bonfire is held on the beach at Pelham Place and it is preceded by a torchlight procession along the Seafront and around the Town Centre. After the Bonfire there will be a spectacular firework display from the beach, this is a free event watched by thousands, but we do collect to raise money for local charities so please remember to put some money in the collecting boxes.

Some approximate times
(programme to be confirmed)

6.30pm  Road closures start.

6.55pm  Hastings Runners carry the flame from the Firesite to the East Hill to light the Beacon

7.05pm  Hastings Runners light the beacon on the East Hill

7.15pm Procession  starts from Rock a Nore and up All Saints Street - limited torches on this part of the route so it's best to watch on the Seafront.

7.30pm Procession reaches the top of the High Street

7.45pm Procession reaches the Seafront at the bottom of High Street

7.55pm Procession passes the Firesite heading for the Town Centre

8.10pm Set Piece Firework - Town Hall -  At this point HBBS Chairman accompanied by banners greets the Mayor as the procession continues up Queens Road, turns on itself and marches to the Town Hall, salute to the Mayor

8.15pm America Ground Declaration - Memorial -  Mayor and Town Criers proceed to the Memorial with the procession where the procession stops and the America Ground declaration is read by a town crier, followed by a set piece firework

8.30pm Procession continues through Robertson Street

8.35pm Procession reaches the Seafront and turns back along the Seafront towards the Old Town

8.45pm Procession reaches the Firesite

9.00pm Bonfire is Lit

9.30pm or later depending on the Bonfire, the Firework display starts.

Programmes with the full details will be on sale nearer to the event.

 

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, certain details of the event may have to change without prior notice.

 Safety

The event is liable to be crowded and noisy, The very young, elderly and persons of a nervous disposition are advised to stand well back, both during the procession and during the firework display.

The Hastings Borough Bonfire Society Committee cannot be responsible for any injury or damage done during the proceedings

Please do not
Pick up discarded torches, they will be collected by the Society after the procession
Pass any fence or barrier, they are for your safety
Light or throw fireworks, it is an offence to discharge fireworks on a highway and extremely dangerous
Climb over move barriers or enter restricted areas on the Firesite after the event, there could be live shells around, it takes about 45 mins to declare the area safe
Gather around the fire after the event

Please do
Obey any instructions from the Police or Marshals
Stand well back and allow the procession room to pass safely
Keep pets away they don't like fireworks and sudden noise
Remember the event is free but we collect for charity please give generously

Road Closures

Please be aware that the A259 will be closed to through traffic from the pier to the Sussex Pub (Mount Road) for part of the evening, diversions will be in operation.
The A259 between Albert Road and The Bourne will be closed from appx 7.00pm until about 10.00pm (the Police will decide when the road opens again, it depends on the amount of people watching).

Certain Seafront and Old Town car parks, or parts of car parks, will be closed during the day and evening.

If you use car parks within the road closure area please remember to wait until the Police lift the road closure before leaving, it is extremely dangerous to drive through crowds in a closed road.