The society thrived and grew from its outset becoming well known for its fantastic wax effigies and the famous costumes of the Rajas and Ranees. 1893 saw the first bonfire thanksgiving service at the St John the Baptist church in Southover. The society was to cease after 1906. (At this time I have not been able ascertain the exact reason but if we take into account their stubborness to comply in the 1850s then the following may bear substance). If there is one thing Southover can lay claim to, it is the art or madness of barrel racing. All societies dragged them, but the idea of  racing them came from the Lord of the manor. The race was run between the Kings Head public house and the manor house in Southover High Street with the prize being a gold sovereign - a vast sum to any working class lad and his family. The blazing hogshead barrels were pulled on a chain that had been passed through the middle of the barrel with the left chain in left hand and right chain in right hand you ran like the wind taking care to look behind because if you stopped  the barrel did not. This was also to be the making of the bonfire legend, Old Betty the sextoness, or to her friends ‘Tubs  number 9’, who used to smoke a short pipe whilst pulling a hogshead barrel on a chain in one hand.

5th November 1906: Fires in the streets and the dragging of lighted tar barrels were suppressed with over a 130 constables on duty that night. A great many people were arrested, among them were four leading bonfire boys who were later acquitted. The society was not to reform until 1923. The first world war had cost Southover dearly with the loss of over 60 young men virtually tearing the heart out of the parish. At this time it was common place for the bonfire societies to have a procession of remembrance with wreaths being laid at the town memorial. With the completion of the Southover war memorial the bonfire boys and girls of Southover took to the streets on the fifth again primarily to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. All bonfire activities came to a stop again between 1939 and 1945. Once again the loss of life was tragic for Southover with 26 men lost. The society reformed in 1950 but with a dwindling membership and a lack of funds it finally disbanded in 1958.

In 1985 a breakaway group of bonfire boys reformed Southover Bonfire Society led by the charismatic Kevin Tapp and it was to run until 1989. During that time the society had its celebrations two weeks after the fifth on the Saturday thus it became an out meeting. Support came from other Lewes & Sussex societies but this recipe was to be their downfall as they never had a core membership. When this support waned there was no one to take up their positions. Coupled with this was the fact that ninety percent of the committee changed every year which led to the society being constantly dragged in different directions and ultimately large bust ups. Then came the time honoured tradition of all downfall, lack of funds. But of the Southover today, we can say thank you to them as valuable lessons were learnt.