Perfect night for cracking Ewhurst and Staplecross bonfire

The event, which has been dubbed ‘The best village bonfire night’, attracted a big crowd.

John Lederer, from the Society, said: “Figures from the gate collection and other attractions point to yet another great year. This is very important to the society as monies raised go to charities and good causes.

“The £1 to enter the bonfire field was described as amazing value for what was described by many as an unbelievably magnificent firework display. The society spent more on the display this year and new more colourful fireworks were seen. A massive cheer went up at the finale, as a huge ball of colour lit the sky.

“The evening started with the ever-popular fancy dress competition, which, again recorded a large number of entrants and was held at the village hall. Results are shown below

“The Ewhurst & Staplecross Bonfire Society and visiting Bonfire Societies formed the torch lit procession, which, wended its way from Staplecross, to Cripps Corner and back, The procession is lit by burning torches which made the dark lanes very atmospheric. Bright red flares illuminating the trees and bushes could be seen from a long way away.

“Many locals met the procession at Cripps Corner and followed as the procession moved back up the hill to Staplecross and then on to the new bonfire field.

“This was followed by the lighting of the Grand Bonfire and the amazing fireworks display. The event has been dubbed The Best Village Bonfire and is aimed at being a family event.

“The Society would like to thank everyone who supported this event: the huge number of spectators and their generosity, all other bonfire societies who were represented and everyone who gave their time, energy and support throughout the year and on Saturday night to ensure that the evening was a roaring success. A special thanks to the ambulance and first-aiders , police, firemen, and all other organisations involved.

“The Society is confident it will once again be able to make worthwhile donations to the charities and local organisations, which it supports.

Donations will be presented to these organisations at the annual carol service which is being held at St Marks Church, Staplecross in December. For further details of this, please see our website. www.esbs.org.net.”

Fancy Dress Results:

Girls under 7 - 1st Poppy Blackwell 2nd Navana Sendhiixumaran

3rd Cicely Clayton - Jones

Boys under 7 - 1st Ned Eastwood 2nd Ethan Green

3rd Kit Lindsay

Girls 7 – 15yrs - 1st Kitty Eastwood 2nd Gemma Hamilton

3rd Rita Dover

Boys 7 – 15 yrs -1st Billy dover 2nd Noah Legget-Jones

3rd Wilf Eastwood

Best pairs under 15 -1st Billy & Rita Dover

2nd Daisy Owst and Lucy Barber

3rd Scarlett Kently and Kitty Eastwood

Ladies Over 15 - 1st Glenna Favell 2nd Diane Ashby 3rd Yasmin Hamilton

Gentlemen 15 + - 1st Adam Scowen 2nd Charlie Scowen

Best Pair in Fancy Dress – 1st Adam & Charlie Scowen

2nd Becky and Glenna Favell

3rd Yasmin 7 Kath Hamilton

The Brown Trophy - Wilf, Ned and Kitty Eastwood

The H.W Moyer Trophy and Replica - Adam Scowen

The Joe Stonely Shield – Fancy dress under 15 - Noah Legget Jones

The Bonfire Society Shield/ Best Tableaux - Rye.

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