Sussex bonfire season is already well underway and Rye’s own annual bonfire celebration is fast approaching.
This is when the Rye and District Bonfire Society sets the town alight, when visiting societies spectacularly arrive into town and when crowds line the streets. All are warmly welcomed, and the thunderous rumble of the bonfire drumming groups, including our very own Ryebellion Drummers, mingles with the roar of Scorcher - what's not to love about having our very own pet dragon?
There will be vikings, highway men, clowns, monks, convicts and more, with each visiting Bonfire Society making their mark in their own inimitable way.
They'll burn a boat, of course, that's a given. There are various theories surrounding how this age-old tradition came about, many of which pre-date the gun powder plot! Check out some theories on their website.
The torchlit procession will leave from Tilling Green at 7pm on Saturday 14 November and, then following the chairing down, Rye Fawkes (this year it's a larger than life local character), will light the bonfire on the Salts, before another spectacular firework display at approximately 8.15pm.
Full details, including the staggered road closures, which will be from 5.30pm, and (approximate) timings for this year's event are now on the bonfire society’s social media pages, and will be in the bonfire 2026 programme. This will soon be available from various locations around town at just £2, with all the proceeds helping to fund this much celebrated, immensely popular, crowd pleasing annual event. There is also some health and safety information in there, including how the bonfire society are not responsible for the mobile carts selling the plastic light up flashing "toys".
Unfortunately, one of Rye's urban myths is that the bonfire society close the railway station; they don't, that prerogative lies with Southern Rail and the emergency services, although to maintain safety at the event, the bonfire society respects the decision. Anyone requiring transport information should contact Southern Rail for details regarding trains and Stagecoach for bus timetable amendments.
Another urban myth that exists is that a professional team clean up the town the morning after. In fact, there is actually a small army of bonfire society members, along with several diligent business owners and helpful members of the public who, in conjunction with BIFFA, scurry about the town, like the Wombles of Wimbledon making sure that everything looks like the night before never happened.
Then, a few days later, the planning and fundraising for the following year begins again, and your support is always very much appreciated. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/rye-bonfire-2026.
Fundraising Female team members, Sally Walker and Michelle Whittington, told Rye News that, "the continued support by local businesses and the larger community is amazing; we are constantly overwhelmed by the generosity and love shown for the bonfire society and so we are immensely proud to be keeping this revered Sussex tradition alive." We look forward to celebrating Rye Bonfire with you on Saturday 14 November 🔥
