If you or your family would like to get more involved in the Society as a volunteer or even join one of our many brilliant Bonfire teams who help build our Tab, run our firesite, and organise great events such as the annual Lewes May Fayre – to name just a few – please pop along to the King’s Head on Sunday September 8 from 3pm-5.30pm for our Volunteers Event. You’ll be able to meet the teams and get plenty of advice on how to make the most of your SBS membership. There are a few great surprises in store plus limited editions of our brand spanking new pewter badge will also be on sale.Email chair@southoverbs.com for more info!
Bonfire Rocks!
On Sept 20 the Con Club plays host to local bands The Manatees and Caburn, in aid of SBS.
Continue reading “Bonfire Rocks!”
Torchmaking 2019
Our official torch making sessions kick off this coming Sunday September 1 from 9.30am-12noon at The Swan. All members are invited to come along and make their share of torches ready for the 5th. Experienced torch makers will be on hand to show all the family how the best bonfire torches in Lewes are made. The refurbished yard at The Swan means we have an ‘all weather’ venue, so even if it’s raining there is cover and rumours abound that there’ll be plenty of cake and the chance to get to know other SBS-ers as you twist, staple and wire.
Update – October 16 2019: we’ve done it. Torchmaking for 2019 is finished at The Swan. Our grand total? 5,500 torches for our members to carry on the 5th. Well done everyone!
Volunteer Night – a message from the Chair
Welcome to the start of the 2019 Bonfire season! We hope that you are getting the most out of your membership with SBS and will renew again this year for more fiery frolics! Although membership renewals commence in September, work goes on behind the scenes all year to raise money and prepare. This is my first year as Chair of SBS and I am asking for your help.
Continue reading “Volunteer Night – a message from the Chair”
Secret Lewes gardens trail
Southover Open Gardens is back for 2019 with a trail of secret gardens to explore in Lewes on Sunday June 9 from 2pm – 5pm (some gardens open til 6pm). Entry is by ticket only at £5, kids go free. The event is hosted by Southover Bonfire Society and is raising funds to buy some of the fireworks Lewes is famous for.
Continue reading “Secret Lewes gardens trail”
Charity ride for Chris
Many of you will remember our good friend, committee member and director Chris Axton, who sadly passed away in 2017. On Father’s Day 2019 Chris’s wife Karen, along with 2 of his children, will be taking part in the London to Brighton bike ride to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
We can’t always promote charity fundraising on our pages, but we felt that in this case many members would likely want to support this particular cause in memory of a great SBS and bonfire servant such as Chris.
If you’d like to donate then please follow this link to the Just Giving page set up by Karen. Let’s see if we can help shatter the fundraising target!
committee elections
Committee elections will take place at the 2019 AGM, the candidates who have put themselves forward have written a few words of introduction, please take a moment to read them below. Thanks and see you at the Dripping Pan! Continue reading “committee elections”
May Fayre 2019: taking a little time out
We’ve had 10 magical years of the May Fayre in Lewes but we have decided not to go ahead with it this year: we’re taking a mini break.
For the past decade the May Fayre has been organised by a group of volunteers from Southover Bonfire Society led by the inimitable Mark Ridgwell. As many of you know, Mark did a huge amount with the event – using his energy, inspiration and creativity to bring in some great attractions and to turn it from a brilliant idea into splendid reality. Following his death in December we’ve decided to take a break from the Fayre in 2019 and look at how it can be organised in the future.
Thank you to all our supporters and look out for more details about our May Fayre in 2020, which takes place on Saturday May 16.
2019 AGM
All members should by now have received notification of the AGM. The notice can also be downloaded here (PDF). We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 28 April 2019, at The Rook Inn, The Dripping Pan, Mountfield Rd, Lewes. The bar will be open from 6:00 pm with the meeting starting at 7:00 pm.
If you are interested in becoming a committee member, please contact the Secretary at secretary@southoverbs.com and full details will be sent to you. The deadline for applications is Friday 12 April 2019.
After the AGM there will be a ‘meet the committee’ session so please come and say hello.
Note: for any member who cannot make the meeting but would like to vote in the committee election a proxy voting form will be available on this site nearer the time.
Annual Dinner
Book your tickets now for the SBS Annual Dinner and Celebration. Come for the food, a drink or a bit of both – tickets must be bought in advance if you want to enjoy the meal. Music, fun and good company guaranteed, dancing optional.