About Firle Bonfire Society
Firle Bonfire Society is a volunteer-led organisation based in the historic village of Firle, East Sussex, beneath the South Downs.
Although the present society was reformed in 1981, Firle's Bonfire history can be traced back to at least the 1870s. Surviving Victorian diary entries describe bonfires, fireworks and even a Bonfire Boys' supper taking place in the village more than 140 years ago.
Today, Firle Bonfire Society is known for its Valencian Pioneers, its headquarters at The Ram Inn, a torchlit procession through the village and a huge bonfire and fireworks display on the playing fields.
In 2026, Firle Bonfire Society celebrates 45 years since its revival.
Victorian Bonfire in Firle
Some of the best evidence for Firle's early Bonfire tradition comes from the diary of Reverend Crawley, who was Vicar of Firle between 1878 and 1899.
His entry for 5 November 1879 records a bonfire and fireworks taking place in front of The Ram.
Two years later, in 1881, Reverend Crawley described the village's Bonfire activities as being on a greater scale than usual. In 1882, he again recorded the village putting on a good display.
Perhaps the most interesting entry comes from 1888.
Reverend Crawley had intended to begin his night school but discovered that the evening clashed with the Bonfire Boys' Supper Night. Night school was therefore postponed until the following evening.
It is a small detail, but a revealing one. By the late nineteenth century, the Bonfire Boys were clearly established enough within village life for their annual supper to take precedence.
The Ram Inn
The Ram Inn has been closely connected with Firle Bonfire for generations.
The Victorian diary entries place celebrations outside The Ram as early as 1879, and the pub remains the headquarters of Firle Bonfire Society today.
The area outside the pub provides the starting point for the modern procession, while the society's annual Badge Night is also held at The Ram.
That gives Firle an unusually strong physical connection between its historic and modern celebrations: members still gather at the same village pub associated with Bonfire more than a century ago.
The Society Disappears
Despite its long history, Firle Bonfire Society has not operated continuously.
The society's own history records that declining support and a shortage of funds eventually caused it to fold during the early 1970s.
For several years, organised Bonfire disappeared from Firle.
Then, in 1980, a few local families decided to revive the idea on a much smaller scale.
They built a bonfire in Firle Park and brought along their own fireworks. One participant even constructed a small Guy Fawkes firework set-piece on a kitchen table.
That informal village gathering proved to be the spark that brought Firle Bonfire Society back.
Reformed in 1981
Following the 1980 celebration, a meeting was called in 1981 to resurrect Firle Bonfire Society.
Around 50 members processed that year, many wearing Valencian costume.
The revival was successful, and the society has continued ever since.
That makes 2026 the 45th anniversary of the modern Firle Bonfire Society, a milestone being celebrated with a special summer party as well as the annual Bonfire celebrations.
It is an impressive second chapter for a society that had effectively disappeared only a few years before its revival.
The Valencian Pioneers
One of the most distinctive features of Firle Bonfire Society is its Valencian Pioneer costume.
When the society was reformed in 1981, its own history records that most of the approximately 50 members who processed that year wore their Valencian costumes, describing Valencian dress as the Pioneer costume from many years before.
This is particularly interesting because it demonstrates that the costume was not invented for the modern revival. Members were deliberately bringing back an identity associated with the earlier Firle Bonfire Society.
Valencia, on Spain's Mediterranean coast, has its own remarkable traditions involving fire and fireworks, most famously Las Fallas. However, Firle Bonfire Society's published history does not give a definitive explanation for why its predecessors originally chose Valencian costume.
It is therefore safest to regard the Valencians as a long-established Firle tradition without attaching a specific origin story that cannot currently be documented.
The Skylon Mishap
Firle's history also contains some wonderfully eccentric Bonfire stories.
One involves a firework set-piece known as “The Skylon.”
After particularly wet weather caused problems with fireworks, the Skylon was stored in the stables at The Ram Inn and electric fires were used to dry it out.
A Firle pyrotechnician named Bunny Unsted was given the job of keeping watch, complete with buckets of water in case anything went wrong.
Unfortunately, he fell asleep.
When he woke suddenly, he saw the red glow of the electric fire reflected on the set-piece and believed it had caught fire.
His immediate response was to drench it with water.
The supposedly endangered firework therefore had to be dried out all over again before it could eventually be fired successfully.
It is exactly the sort of story that rarely appears in formal histories but gives a wonderful glimpse into the practical realities of village Bonfire.
Firle Bonfire Night
Firle's annual celebration normally takes place on the last Saturday in October.
The procession begins outside The Ram and travels through the historic village, with members carrying flaming torches before making their way towards the playing fields.
There, the Grand Bonfire is lit and followed by the society's fireworks display.
The rural setting gives Firle Bonfire a particularly distinctive atmosphere. The procession takes place through a small Downland village rather than a large town, before the crowd gathers on the playing fields for the main display.
For 2026, Firle Bonfire takes place on Saturday 24 October. The torchlit procession is scheduled to begin at 7pm, with the Grand Bonfire and fireworks from approximately 9pm.
45 Years Since the Revival
Firle Bonfire Society is marking an important anniversary in 2026.
To celebrate 45 years since the society was reformed, members are holding a special Firle Bonfire Society Summer Party in July.
The weekend includes live music, food and drink, with several bands performing across the two-day celebration.
It is a fitting way to mark the anniversary of the small group of villagers who decided in 1981 that Firle should have its Bonfire Society back.
Charity and Community
Fundraising is an important part of Firle Bonfire Society's work.
Members organise events including quiz nights and other local fundraisers, raising money both to support the annual Bonfire celebration and to help local causes.
The society states that money collected in buckets during Bonfire Night itself goes directly to charity.
Firle Primary School has been among the causes supported by the society, with fundraising helping provide equipment and resources for the village school.
Firle's wider community also helps support Bonfire. Proceeds from the annual Firle Village Fete are shared between the upkeep of the village's 14th-century church, the community fund and Firle Bonfire Society.
It demonstrates how closely the society remains connected with village life.
Membership
Firle Bonfire Society welcomes new members who want to become involved.
There are opportunities to walk in the procession, represent Firle at celebrations elsewhere and participate in activities throughout the year.
Just as importantly, members are needed behind the scenes.
Torch-making, setting up the firesite, marshalling and fundraising are among the jobs undertaken by volunteers to make the annual celebration possible.
The society also attends celebrations elsewhere during September, October and November, allowing members to carry Firle's traditions and Valencian costume to other events.
A Tradition Rekindled
Firle Bonfire Society has an especially interesting history because today's celebration can be connected directly with village Bonfire more than a century ago.
In 1879, Reverend Crawley watched the bonfire and fireworks outside The Ram. By 1888, the Firle Bonfire Boys were established enough for their supper to cause the village vicar to postpone night school.
The tradition eventually faded and the society folded in the early 1970s.
Then a few families built their own bonfire in 1980, leading to the formal revival of Firle Bonfire Society the following year. Around 50 people joined that first procession, bringing the old Valencian Pioneer costume back with them.
Forty-five years later, the society is still processing from The Ram through the village.
That continuity is what makes Firle particularly interesting: the pub, the procession, the Valencians and the village itself connect today's Firle Bonfire Society with generations of Firle Bonfire Boys who came before it.