The Sussex bonfire tradition in danger

THE tradition of the Sussex Bonfire is under serious threat.

A bid by county-wide organisers to safeguard the celebration has failed after the Government refused to ratify a special convention.

Bonfire societies in East Sussex say it could be the final nail in the coffin for the 500-year-old practice.

The groups in Crowborough, Uckfield and Mayfield all told the Courier they could soon be forced to close because of escalating insurance costs and the need to pay for police marshalls.

Crowborough Bonfire Society's Wendy Scrace said: "It is a real danger the tradition will die.

"It is a concern for all the societies because everybody is putting in so much hard work to put on their own carnivals but prices are rising every year."

Last year, the Sussex Bonfire Council tried to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the tradition.

It would have meant any legislation passed regarding health and safety would not be able to infringe on the rights of the group.

Crucially, it would also signal to insurance companies they could not charge them extra.

But the Government refused to ratify the 2003 Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention, even though it has been joined by 112 other states.

The news has come as a blow to East Sussex societies who say they are already feeling the pressure and fear costs will continue to rise.

Last weekend's celebrations in Crowborough were without a fireworks display, while members of Uckfield and Mayfield societies foresaw hard times ahead for the tradition, unless it is given protection.

Keith Leech, president of the Hastings Bonfire Society and Sussex Bonfire Council, led the application.

"The Government claims it's too complicated to get involved in what is and isn't a cultural tradition, which seems bizarre when the rest of the world seems to be able to do it," he said.

Explaining the reason behind Britain not being a member of the 2003 convention, Ian White, a spokesman for the UK national Commission to UNESCO said: "The UK is generally reluctant to legislate on cultural issues, preferring an arm's-length approach.

"However, the Government recognises the importance of the intangible cultural heritage and new licensing legislation in England and Wales enables local authorities to encourage the preservation of local and regional traditions in public places."

The lack of protection has come as a blow to The Mayfield Bonfire Boyes and Belles, who organise the Mayfield carnival each year.

Chairman Penny Bell said: "A lot of the things affect the bigger groups more than us, but it does build up. For example, our insurance has been going up every year and it is well over £1,000 now, which is a lot of money for a small organisation."

Carol Watts Arnold, secretary and lifelong member of the Uckfield Bonfire Society was also pessimistic about the future.

She said: "It's a really big tradition and we hope that tradition carries on through the generations. My son Jack is three-and-a-half and I hope, when he is my age, that it is still going."