Covid-19 Safety Causes A Second Lewes Bonfire Society To Miss Nov. 5 Commemorations

Commercial Square Bonfire Society, founded in 1855, said today (6th August) it "regrettably" was cancelling the Societies celebrations and commemorations which were scheduled for 5th November.

"CSBS" joined the Cliffe Bonfire Society in the ranks of the town's seven groups, at the heart of Sussex Bonfire, who have decided that holding a safe event, in the light of the pandemic, would be impossible this year.

In full, Commercial Square said today:

The Committee and Directors of Commercial Square Bonfire Ltd trading as Commercial Square Bonfire Society together with the Directors of Holdemhigh Ltd sincerely regret that because of the coronavirus pandemic and after considering the need to:

• take into account the legislation and Government guidance presently in place and the fact that Customer First (Lewes District Council) following extensive communication with the Police, Public Health and their legal team, are unable to issue a road closure Order at the present time;
• avoid compromising the safety of our members or that of the public in any way because of our activities; and
• ensure that we do not cause our emergency services together with St John Ambulance and others any unnecessary diversion when their resources may be needed or better employed elsewhere during the pandemic

have regrettably resolved to cancel the Society’s celebrations on 5th November 2020.

Since its foundation in 1855 Commercial Square’s celebrations have been conducted annually (save for the World Wars; ironically an outbreak of disease (Typhoid) in Lewes in 1874; and flooding in 1960) to commemorate:

• the deaths of the Lewes Martyrs, a group of 17 Protestants who were burned at the stake in Lewes, Sussex, England between 1555 and 1557;
• the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605; and
• all those townspeople who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of our freedoms in the World Wars of 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.

Sadly, it is most unlikely that the coronavirus pandemic will be over, nor the virus fully controlled by November 2020.

Consequently, it is doubtful that the government guidelines and legislation will change significantly in the coming months, particularly regarding mass gatherings and social distancing.

The difficulties of ensuring compliance by all participants and spectators with the measures likely to still be in place then by a group of part-time volunteers would seem to be insurmountable.

There is also the possibility that asymptomatic carriers or those who should be self-isolating might choose to attend the celebrations with possible devastating effect on the health of others present on the night.

Our absolute regret at having to cancel this year’s event is offset only by the confidence that we will return to the streets of Lewes in all our splendour when it is safe for all involved to do so.