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The early years
The early years
The society was first founded in 1854 by residents of the village. The society was based at the Griffin Inn in Fletching High street.
In 1891 the first recorded Fletching Bonfire event was held. It consisted of a torch light procession, horses, bonfire and fireworks. The next recorded event was in 1893.
The 1900's
The 1900's
After a period of no recorded events, in 1906 there was a rebirth of the society with a similar bonfire event.
From 1907 until 1914 the bonfire society held regular events - being mainly based at Splaynes Green hosting the bonfire on the green itself.
Following the outbreak of World War One no events were held between 1914 and 1919.
Following a rebirth, in 1920 the society once again held the popular community bonfire event.
1939 to 1947 there was no recorded events due to the Second World War.
In 1954 Fletching Bonfire's longest chairman would be elected standing in the postion for 32 years. Henry Hobbs still holds one of the longest positions in ANY bonfire society.
Fletching put on a display each year from 1965 until 1987, when the Great storm put a stop to holding any celebrations. The society would return the following year and would continue to grow year on year.
The 2000's
The 2000's
The new millennium saw the society bring in a new fireworks provider, Ashdown Fireworks who a year later (2001) introduced a revolutionary firework display, firing to music. The pyromusical display that would be used for the next 16 years would attract thousands to the village each year.
The society celebrated our 150th anniversary in 2004, with an amazing firework display using a large Guy Fawkes being illuminated by lances, this would be used 10 years later to celebrate the 160th anniversary.
Each year the society hosted an amazing pyromusical display, bonfire and torch light procession raising thousands for local charities and organisations.
Each year the society expanded the event holding thier own bar, The firecracker Inn, hosting spectular fireworks and working closly with the local community.
2014 saw the society celebrate it's 160th anniversary with a fantastic pyromusical display and a larger than usual torch light procession. This was a momentous year for the society. In addition to the Guy Fawkes used in 2004, the firesite was emblazoned with lance work with the words' 1854 FLETCHING 2014'
In this year the society introduced a new element to the night. To comemerate the outbreak of World War One the society constructed lance work poppies to be lite around the war memorial on church corner. This would become a key part of the annual celebrations in years to come.
In 2019 after years of struggles for the society, it was decided by the committee to put the society in a state of rest for a period of three years, after which a meeting would be held to see if any support for the society had emerged.
In September 2022 the society was reborn attending outmeetings all over Sussex.
June 2023 - Fletching Bonfire Society holds it first AGM since 2019 electing a new chairman and committee with one desire - to bring the tradition back to the village celebrating Sussex tradition and raising money for local charities.
The future
The future
The coming year see's Fletching Bonfire celebrate 170 years since it's first formation.
We are always holding events through out the year and rasing money for local chairties and orginisations.
We are always seeking new memebers. May be this is the new adventure you need !
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