Become a member
Make sure to buy membership! Only Barcombe Bonfire Society (BBS) members can walk in the procession. Proof of membership is your badge, and this MUST be worn when you are walking with BBS. If you are not a member of Barcombe Bonfire Society you are a member of the public, and our insurance does not cover members of the public walking in the procession. We will actively check membership and expel people from the procession who do not have a current membership.
How to line up for the procession
All processions, both at Barcombe and when we go to outmeetings, have an ‘order of procession’ issued beforehand. We march in the following order behind the Barcombe Society banner:
- First Pioneer – Saxon
- Second Pioneer – Dickensian Ladies & Gentlemen
- All other costumes
- Smuggler – Red and Black stripes
When attending outmeetings as a visiting society we shall be issued with information from the hosts before we arrive. This will be distributed to our members via our secretary or Captain of Outmeetings. If you have any questions at all, please do just get in touch.
How to walk in the procession
We require that people walk in rows of 2 or 3. You will need to keep an orderly line to fill up the whole road while keeping an ideal distance of at least 2 metres from the person in front of you. This is important not just to make the procession look good, but for safety purposes. Sometimes marshals need to go up and down the ranks and therefore need the space between marchers to be kept consistent. When walking with children, we would recommend that either the child is in the middle with adults either side; or there is one row of children with their responsible adults walking behind.
What to take with you
You need both hands to be free to carry torches so bring a bag in keeping with your costume or make use of large pockets. A lot of people use army surplus style shoulder or cross-body bags.
You will get warm while walking and then cold at the fireworks or while waiting between marches so consider packing extra layers. It can be a long evening so you may want to bring some snacks and drinks for the end, especially for the children.
Torches
Carry torches at shoulder height, ideally with outside walkers holding torches on the pavement side. Tip torches at an angle away from you, and other people, as they can drip or drop sometimes. You may carry an unlit, spare torch. These should be held pointing downwards at all times so the paraffin does not run down the handle.
When you no longer want a lit torch, just put it on the ground alongside the procession route, not on the pavement. Once you have put it down, light your spare from a member of the procession with you. Discarded torches will be collected by the barrel teams who walk behind the procession. Do not pick up discarded torches.
Bonfire Field
The bonfire field will be muddy. Please wear appropriate footwear. It should be clear where you should stand, but if not, please ask one of the marshals. We usually have designated spaces for those in the procession to stand separately to the areas for the public. Do not approach the bonfire and keep behind the barrier.
Children in the procession
There is no obligation for children walking in the procession to carry a torch. It is fine for them to walk without one, or with a fairy light version. Bear in mind the torches are heavy and feel heavier over time. We would recommend that children wear ear protectors and eye protection, ideally hidden within the costume.
Children should not carry spare torches or bags. It is up to their responsible adult at what age the child can carry a torch, and any liability is down to the members as per the BBS Membership Rules. Responsible adult members assume all responsibility for the conduct of their junior members.
When walking with children, we would recommend that either the child is in the middle with adults either side; or there is one row of children with their responsible adults walking behind. As we are dealing with fire, please be aware that if other adults see your child/charge behaving dangerously they will speak up. More experienced members may be able to foresee issues and will just have your children’s safety in mind. Safety is paramount.
Under no circumstances should anyone run up and down the procession while people have lit torches.
If your child is upset or tired put torches down and walk without torches. At any time, after putting down the torches, you can step out of the procession and join in again later.
You may consider just walking in the Barcombe Children’s Procession. This is the first procession in the night and will be quieter and shorter than the main procession so is a great introduction. We have put into a document to Information for people walking in Barcombe Bonfire Society’s Children’s Procession for the first time.
Procession rules
Only members of Barcombe Bonfire Society in costume and invited visiting societies are permitted in the procession, for insurance purposes. You need to display your society badge clearly and you may be asked to show this by a marshal. Each society should have a designated marshal as well as additional members responsible for marshalling the overall procession.
Summary
Hopefully, having read this you are feeling reassured, and will have a great time in your first procession. However, if there is anything else you need to know then please contact us.
General Disclaimer
All persons attending the event do so entirely at their own risk. Please be reminded that falling ash can cause injury to the body and eyes. It is recommended that warm clothing, sturdy footwear and protection for eyes and ears is worn for your own safety. Barcombe Bonfire Society Limited accepts no liability for any loss, injury or damage sustained from activities undertaken at our event. You have a responsibility to undertake activities in line with our procedures, rules and guidelines available on our website and social media pages, read and adhere to the Bonfire Society Rules.