Rye Bonfire Society Chairman James Foster has thanked everyone who helped to put together this year’s spectacular 30th anniversary pageant – one enjoyed by over ten thousand people on Saturday 15 November. The town was packed for the procession of local bonfire societies around Rye, followed by the bonfire and fireworks on The Salts.
“Everyone pulled together,” he said. “Bonfire night went really well thanks to all our volunteers and supporters. There was a fantastic atmosphere from start to finish. The calendar of Sussex bonfires can get a bit crowded but we were the only event on Saturday night which meant the parade had over thirty local groups. A great turn out and so big we ran out of torches.”
There are more pictures and videos from Rye Bonfire 2025 here.
The mild weather on the night helped too, a bit different from last week’s wet weather. “It was looking a bit miserable when we built the bonfire but it all came good. I was really pleased with the fireworks. We had a longer display with some really good fireworks over the twenty minutes.”
Rye Mayor Andy Stuart, a long term member of the Bonfire Society, took part in the local procession for the first time. “What pride I felt as we marched through a packed town in a torch-lit parade that seemed to stretch back for ever! It all culminated in following this year’s Rye Fawkes, long-time bonfire stalwart Frances Warren and former chairman, on the ceremonial chair, down the Landgate and out onto the Salts inner sanctum, where he lit the ‘normous’ bonfire.”
There were no major incidents in spite of the large crowds said Chief Inspector Simon Yates, Sussex Police District Commander for Hastings and Rother. “This year’s Rye Bonfire was a successful event that passed without issue. We were pleased to work closely with our partners to help support a safe and enjoyable evening for everyone. Our thanks go to the community and visitors for their co-operation throughout the night, which contributed to the smooth running of the event.”
The evening also made for some great pictures and social media. In this article we are showcasing three photographers who have kindly shared their photos with Rye News: Steve Hutchings, Tony Ham and Jeff Rice.
The photographers brilliantly captured another superb Rye Bonfire Night; the fireworks, the drummers, the torches, the huge bonfire, and of course the procession as it wound its way through Rye.
Thank you Rye Bonfire Society for a wonderful night!
Image Credits: Steve Hutchings , Jeff Grice , Tony Ham .