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Lewes bonfire celebration set to attract thousands of revellers Lewes holds largest bonfire celebration
(about 4 hours later)
Thousands of people are expected to converge on the East Sussex town of Lewes later for one of the biggest bonfire celebrations held in the UK. Thousands of people have converged on the East Sussex town of Lewes for one of the UK's biggest bonfire events.
An effigy of outgoing Scottish first minister Alex Salmond and the Loch Ness Monster is set to be burnt. Effigies are traditionally burnt during the event and this year they include the outgoing Scottish first minister Alex Salmond and the Loch Ness Monster.
About 30,000 revellers attended last year's processions. Non-Lewes residents are asked not to attend. About 30,000 revellers attended last year's processions, which are staged by the town's bonfire societies.
Council officials have urged people to wear protective glasses or goggles and ear plugs for their own safety. Council officials urged people to wear protective glasses or goggles and ear plugs for their own safety.
Police said anyone throwing fireworks would be "dealt with robustly".Police said anyone throwing fireworks would be "dealt with robustly".
Six separate bonfire societies will parade through various parts of the town, all with their own traditions, costumes, fire sites and fireworks. Non-Lewes residents were asked not to attend.
In total, there will be more than 30 processions with flaming torches and burning crosses intermingling with each other through the narrow streets of the town, starting from about 17:00 GMT and finishing at about 01:00 GMT. This year, six separate bonfire societies paraded through various parts of the town, all with their own traditions, costumes, fire sites and fireworks.
The main procession, The United Grand, starts at about 19:40 GMT, after which each society will hold a bonfire at sites around the town followed by a firework display. In total, there were more than 30 processions with flaming torches and burning crosses intermingling with each other through the narrow streets of the town.
The main procession, The United Grand, started at about 19:40 GMT, after which each society holds a bonfire at sites around the town followed by a firework display.
Lewes Bonfire SocietiesLewes Bonfire Societies
Sussex is renowned for its spectacular bonfire events in the autumn, celebrating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.Sussex is renowned for its spectacular bonfire events in the autumn, celebrating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
The largest event is held in Lewes, marking both the anniversary of 5 November and the burning of 17 Protestant martyrs at the stake in the 16th Century.The largest event is held in Lewes, marking both the anniversary of 5 November and the burning of 17 Protestant martyrs at the stake in the 16th Century.
The town has seven bonfire societies which have a 4,000-strong membership - six of which hold their celebrations on the same night.The town has seven bonfire societies which have a 4,000-strong membership - six of which hold their celebrations on the same night.
The remaining society, Nevill Juvenile, holds its event on a Saturday a couple of weeks before 5 November.The remaining society, Nevill Juvenile, holds its event on a Saturday a couple of weeks before 5 November.
Some of the societies claim to date back to the 19th Century, and each one has a motto and its own stripey top and cap - known as "smuggler colours".Some of the societies claim to date back to the 19th Century, and each one has a motto and its own stripey top and cap - known as "smuggler colours".
The societies spend months preparing giant effigies, and organising the processions, which involve flaming torches and burning crosses.The societies spend months preparing giant effigies, and organising the processions, which involve flaming torches and burning crosses.
Organisers say the event has "deep historical significance".Organisers say the event has "deep historical significance".
Lewes District Council said the event was meant for "the residents of Lewes only" and was not set up "to handle large crowds with its narrow streets and limited access into and out of the town".Lewes District Council said the event was meant for "the residents of Lewes only" and was not set up "to handle large crowds with its narrow streets and limited access into and out of the town".
In an attempt to ensure the safety of those attending, it said the event was not suitable for children, and was "not a firework display as people expect".In an attempt to ensure the safety of those attending, it said the event was not suitable for children, and was "not a firework display as people expect".
"We are advising people to take responsibility for their own safety," the council said."We are advising people to take responsibility for their own safety," the council said.
"We are working with the bonfire societies and other agencies to reduce accidents... in previous years there has been a problem with 'rookies' causing serious eye injuries."We are working with the bonfire societies and other agencies to reduce accidents... in previous years there has been a problem with 'rookies' causing serious eye injuries.
"We are keen to promote the use of eye protectors (and ear defenders) and discourage the throwing or dropping of fireworks either in the crowds or in the processions.""We are keen to promote the use of eye protectors (and ear defenders) and discourage the throwing or dropping of fireworks either in the crowds or in the processions."
The council also stressed that while there were fireworks later in the evening at designated bonfire society sites, the main focus of the event was the processions.The council also stressed that while there were fireworks later in the evening at designated bonfire society sites, the main focus of the event was the processions.
On-street parking will be suspended on certain streets in the town from 15:00 GMT, while some roads will be closed between 17:00 and 03:00 GMT. On-street parking was suspended on certain streets in the town, while some roads will be closed until 03:00 GMT.
Any parked cars will be towed away. Any parked cars were being towed away.
Southern Railway said it would be operating a normal scheduled service to and from Lewes but warned evening trains would be very busy, with the last trains leaving just before midnight. Southern Railway said it was operating a normal scheduled service to and from Lewes but warned evening trains would be very busy, with the last trains leaving just before midnight.
Last year, 86 people were treated by ambulance crews and 14 people arrested, with two people detained for throwing fireworks.Last year, 86 people were treated by ambulance crews and 14 people arrested, with two people detained for throwing fireworks.
The event commemorates the Gunpowder Plot and 17 protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake in the town in the 16th Century.The event commemorates the Gunpowder Plot and 17 protestant martyrs who were burned at the stake in the town in the 16th Century.