Picture: David Ward

Twenty Eight years of Bonfire

Twenty eight years ago, in 1979 I reproduced this article in the first Bonfire Brochure. I was fascinated by it then and still am. Written by someone called Falkland and I believe printed in one of the local newspapers. It captured the magic of bonfire night for me then and it still does today.  I hope you can see the magic of bonfire night too!  At the end of the article, I have re-visited the second sentence, to see if we have ‘Gone plastic’ and whether or not it makes any difference to you, or to us. Enjoy the article.

The Falkland Column

We do things much better in this area, and we do it best of all at Brockham, where; little, if anything is left to chance. It is one of the festivals that has not ‘gone plastic’, as it were. There is nothing false about it; no half measures, no self-consciousness. It is an annual fiery wonder.

A riot

To take part in it, no matter how humble the capacity in which one serves, is to take part in the best organised riot that happens anywhere. A riot? Well, look at it this way – if about 500 men marched through the middle of any town or village, bearing torches and burned an effigy on a fire in the centre of the green or square,  that would be a riot, if it had not been pre-arranged.

If you and I and several hundred others constructed a stuffed replica of … (fill in the gap with the name of your most burnable enemy), and burned it in the middle of Dorking, letting off fireworks awhile, a jail big enough to contain the lot of us would no doubt be found. We should all pay a heavy fine, or do time for the privilege of expressing our feelings. At Brockham on November 5th, you can do all of those things and get away with it, with a group of Policeman looking on to observe fair play. There is even a loudspeaker commentator to make sure that everyone riots properly.

Preparation is the keyword for what happens. The bonfire, for anyone who passes through Brockham from mid-October onwards, is carefully piled up around its central pole. The village is cleared of all its hedge clippings and tree-pollings to make up the stack. In the middle of the stack goes the heavy items, the pianos, the remains of demolished tool-sheds and so forth. Round the edges go the boughs of trees, leaves outwards, the whole pile being laid in the fashion of a rick and therefore proof against damping by any but the heaviest of rains.

The bonfire grants privileges too. The cricket square alone is left as sacred ground on the Green, but farm tractors and trailers trundle over the rest, completely proof against the harsh words which would be directed against them if they tried it on in the cricket season.

Guards are set up on the bonfire stack as soon as it begins to gain height. Run across the Green on any night between the foundation of the stack and its completion, and you may find a heavily muffled fire-guard running after you.

The Brockham fire-guards are men who could well receive medals for their devotion to duty; many a conscript soldier has guarded less important things for less time and thought far more of himself than these men.

As a conscript soldier, once upon a time, I spent many nights guarding something which I had been told was a telephone exchange with immense strategic importance. It was nothing more to look at than a vast cube of concrete. Occasional signallers went into it and wires sprouted out of it in all directions. No one ever thanked me, or anyone else, for walking round it all night with a boltless rifle, and the element of joy in those proceedings was totally absent.

But if I had been told that, after keeping an eye on it for a week or so, I could help burn it down, perhaps I could have felt considerably better about it. I wonder?

The best place to watch the bonfire proceedings is from an upper window a mile or so down the road from the Green. The Band and torch-bearers set out about seven o’clock and march southwards along Wheelers Lane, the procession glowing with points of light and crowned by drifts of smoke.

The crackle of explosions follow it, the band brays and tinkles, the drums thump. It is like having a window into the past. It is the French Revolution; it is the Gordon Riots, the storming of the Bastille, anything that you would like it to be. The line of fire-carriers marches bravely up to the “Spotted Cow” – and stops. No one that I spoke to knew quite what happens at the “Spotted Cow”.

The torches are recharged, maybe, or the processionalists recharge themselves from their favourite beer-pumps and bottles – who can say? It is probably a great secret; a custom dating back to Palaeolithic times perhaps. Do the young men learn words of Power from the Elders? It might be better not to know.

Key Words

At any rate, after a halt of some length, the band and the Guy-bearers, come down the long straight towards the Green in full stream. The torches flare reddish-yellow, the road is crowded with the walking throng, traffic that has taken this way as a short cut through the lanes bleeps feebly in the rear. This is the night when the omnipotent cars can wait, or move at foot pace only.

As the procession passes, marching on to the consummation of its desires, it can be joined. It moves on quickly toward the Green, then halts in a flaming mass a couple of hundred yards away from the bonfire stack to reform and await the signal.

And then it moves on, unchecked, to surround the leaf-browned column, as the Guy-carriers finish their work of securing the stuffed martyr, with fireworks concealed under his tall-crowned hat, to the top of the pole.

The commentator implores mercy for those who are lashing Guy to his fate. The stack after all is drenched with oil, and would go up like a bomb. They scramble down - the ladder is pulled away - and up go the torches, whirling like a swarm of big, drunken fireflies, to lodge in the side of the pile. Yellow patches appear, grow, and with a roar the bonfire is away. It is done.

I would rather be a torch-bearer at Brockham and collect money in the name of joy, fireworks and charity, than to have taken part in the most magnificent moon shot of all, wherein men travelled half a million miles to return with a handful of dust. And that’s the truth.

What do you think?  This is my view.

Undated, but I suspect from the reference to moon shots, published first in about 1965. So have we ‘gone plastic’?  Is the magic still the same?

Of course things have changed. Society has changed over the last forty years, but is the magic still as brilliant as ever?  The procession still follows the same route and yes, The ‘Spotted Cow’ was a place to give the Band a break and to recharge the processionalists.  The procession still stops at the ‘Spotted Cow’, but it’s not their any more.
The cricket is gone from the Village Green, too many broken windows and damaged motor vehicles. Cars could (but should not) become entwined in amongst the procession.

Has Brockham Bonfire Gone plastic? Not in my opinion, but we have changed. A traffic exclusion zone now exists to ensure your safety. The bonfire guards still get cold protecting an asset  - now worth over fifty thousand pounds and many hundreds of man and women hours to build.

The bonfire is built much the same way except that progress has reduced hedge cuttings from farmer’s fields to pulp. The Guy still follows a journey of consummation, the carriers not exposed to a ring of fireflies on sticks for their safety. It still halts to reform, the yellow patches still grow but no oil soaks the stack.

A riot? No. Carefully and meticulously planned entertainment, still under the watchful eye of Policemen, Stewards, Firemen, Doctors and Medical Staff – still in the name of fun, fireworks and charity.

The article says to me, you must ‘leave it as you found it’, is as motivational today as it was when I first read it 25 years ago.

Bring on the fireflies in 2004 and forever after!

2005 is the 400th Anniversary of the Guy Fawkes Conspiracy.  Please send me your view and memories of bonfires past and present and we may be able to publish them.

With thanks to Falkland, whoever you may be!

Update 2007. We now know this to be our Mole Valley District Councillor, Maurice Homewood.

Tony Hines MBE

Chairman

Brockham Bonfire Limited

Remember, Remember 5th November 2005

Building of the annual Brockham Bonfire will
begin Sunday 25th September. We will be collecting tree loppings around the village after this date, but please remember we cannot get to every house in the Village on the same day - especially the first day of building! Please do not expect us to collect grass cuttings, the rubbish from your garden shed and wind fall apples!

If you are planning a house party on November 5th it is essential that you ask your friends; guests and relatives arrive at your homes by 17.30. If you are having guests please start advising them of this now, they can of course use one of the car parks after this time.

Brockham Lane, Kiln Lane, the Borough Bridge, Old School Lane, Middle Street and Wheelers Lane will all close to all traffic at 17.30. This will mean that all the official road closures will come into force at the same time. This year, the road across the Green will again remain closed until 22.30.

We are happy to issue passes to those people who cannot get home from work by 17.30. They must not be given to your guests. To overcome any issues with the Police regarding passes, we have to keep a record of those issued and at which entry point and at approximately what time they will be used. Please try and avoid having to enter Brockham Lane unless you are a guest at the Restaurant. A ‘car holding’ area will be created again in Brockham Lane for pass holders. Cars will only leave the holding area when it is safe for them to do so.

Are you new to the village and want to become involved in the fun? Lots to do, new friends to make. Just turn up – you know where we are at weekends. We also meet in the Village Hall every Wednesday evening at 8.30pm. Last year we were able to give away over £20,000 a tough target to beat this year, but with your support and dry weather anything is possible!

Does your family want to sponsor a firework? This year’s very special programme will go to the printers in late September. Call Doreen today.

If you are unable to get home by 17.30 please contact Simon Budd on 01737 842042 or Doreen Bates, on 01737 843041 for Firework Sponsorship. To prevent us having to deliver passes around the village at the ‘last minute’ you must notify us by November 2nd if you require one.

Tony Hines MBE

Chairman

Brockham Bonfire Limited

Bonfire 2004 breaks more records

Bonfire Night 2004 will be remembered as the bonfire celebrations that broke all records – again, despite the drizzle, mud and dampness. An estimated crowd of 20,000 people ‘squelched’ around the village green and witnessed an amazing Guy Fawkes, torchlight procession, bonfire and firework display.

The damp and then wet weather brought out the best in everyone; car parking and car recovery worked exceptionally well and our ‘Trojan Force’ of tractor drivers were deployed to recover stuck cars!

The catering stalls sold every sausage; rasher of bacon and beef burger, the intermission during the firework display was an unexpected sales opportunity for the catering stalls. Martin Smith and his team demonstrating tremendous skill and resourcefulness to get the display up and running again The pig auction equalled last years record amount and the bangle sellers sold more bangles exceeded lay years record total.

Overall a fantastic success, despite the weather we will be able to match the record amount we distributed in 2003 to local societies to charities and worthy causes.

Sometimes things go wrong. We have to put our hands up and apologise to those of you who were delayed on the A25 at 17.00. We got it wrong! Not the Police or Council, it was our fault. We inadvertently had the time on a diversion sign printed with the wrong time on it. The road was closed based on the printing error and not when we had planned and communicated to you that the closure would operate. Once the mistake was appreciated the road was swiftly re-opened. Sorry.

Our sincere thanks to everyone who contributes something, no matter how big or how small to the success of this most famous night of celebration in Brockham, especially to all the Bonfire Boys and Girls who give up so much time to ‘make it all happen’.

Tony Hines MBE

Chairman

Brockham Bonfire Limited

Bonfire Celebrations 2004

Bonfire Night celebrations will follow the traditional pattern, beginning with the torch light procession, followed by the lighting of the bonfire, firework display and pig roast.

The car parks will all open by 17.00hrs. It is our intention to encourage everyone into official car parks; this prevents cars parking on roads around the village (and pay for the fireworks) and should enable emergency service vehicles to access all parts of the village, should they be required. As usual, please ask your house guests to park off the road (or in official car parks) and to arrive before 17.00. The Village Green and Borough Bridge (Kiln Lane junction) will close at 17.30. In the interest of safety BROCKHAM LANE AT IT’S JUNCTION WITH THE A25 WILL CLOSE AT 17.30 AND REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL 22.30. Access to Old School Lane, Wheelers Lane, Middle Street and Strood Green from Gadbrook Crossroads and all the roads leading from them will be restricted after 17.30. No access to the Village Green by car will be possible after 17.30.

Kiln Lane will be one way with traffic flowing West to East from 17.30 until 22.30. Naturally the Stewards will be as helpful as is practicable, but dozens of car drivers ALL have friends whose house they are trying to get to. If you have difficulty in getting home from work before this time, please contact Simon Budd for a Pass, but by 3rd November, and we will try and assist.
(01737 84 2042)

If you have recently moved to the village or have lived here for years and feel able to assist in any small way - shaking collecting tins or selling brochures is a fun and rewarding way of spending an hour, please give Doreen a ring.

Last year over £20,000 was given to local societies, charities and worthy causes. We have a job for you! Why not offer your assistance to ensure that Brockham benefits from Bonfire Night?

Finally a big thank you to everyone who has provided tree loppings for the bonfire!

Fingers crossed for a dry night!

Finally, our thoughts are beginning to focus on a special 400th anniversary brochure next year. Pictures, words, poems, sketches, paintings, your thoughts and memories may be included next year. Get writing please!

Tony Hines MBE

Chairman

Brockham Bonfire Limited

Our tractors will be touring the village collecting tree loppings – but not grass cuttings and the junk from your shed!

We have to balance very carefully accepting rubbish from tree surgeons to give us enough material and gathering everything from around the village.

The ‘no more rubbish’ signs on the Green, which will appear in late October are to prevent more rubbish being left on the Green by contractors. We will collect from you, but please be sensible, do not stack more outside your house the week before the bonfire. If you see contractors unloading their vans and lorries around the village on grass verges please send them packing!

Our annual brochure will be going to the printers very soon, you have just enough time to sponsor a firework, as an individual or family, but please hurry, a great opportunity for just £25.00. Brochures will be on sale in the shops and pubs. The remainder will be sold on the night – is this a job you would be willing to undertake on our behalf?

Important Remimber

Finally another reminder of the road closure timings this year. All roads into the Village will close at 17.30. The road across the Village Green will not re-open until 22.30. If you require a pass, we have to give the Police details of what time and from what direction you will enter the village.

Pick up the phone, join the party, and get stuck in. This is your village bonfire.

Please ring Doreen Bates regarding firework sponsorship (843041) and Simon Budd regarding passes (842042).

Tony Hines MBE

Chairman

Brockham Bonfire Limited

The Brockham Bonfire will be held on Saturday 6th November 2004 and building of the annual Brockham Bonfire will begin Sunday 26th September. We will be collecting tree loppings around the village after this date, but please remember we cannot get to every house in the Village on the same day - especially the first day of building! Please do not expect us to collect grass cuttings, the rubbish from your garden shed and wind fall apples!

If you are planning a house party on November 6th it is essential that you ask your friends; guests and relatives arrive at your homes by 17.30. If you are having guests please start advising them of this now, they can of course use one of the car parks after this time.

As in previous years to overcome the traffic congestion at the junction of Brockham Lane and the A25 and the junction of Kiln Lane with Brockham Lane, on the advice of our traffic management specialists, Brockham Lane and the Borough Bridge will close to all traffic at 17.30. This will mean that all the official road closures will come into force at the same time. This year, the road across the Green will remain closed until 22.30 NOT 22.00 as in previous years. Far greater effort will be directed at keeping the procession route free from parked cars this year, especially to the south of the village.

We are happy to issue passes to those people who cannot get home from work by 17.30. They should not be given to your guests. To overcome any issues with the Police regarding passes, we have to keep a record of those issued and at which entry point and at approximately what time they will be used. This will enable us to say, for instance, that we are expecting 5 cars at Wellhouse Lane between 18.00 and 18.30. As a large number of people walk down Brockham Lane on the road it is dangerous to have a car and pedestrian mix. Please try and avoid having to enter Brockham Lane unless you are a guest at the Restaurant. This year, A ‘car holding’ area will be created again in Brockham Lane for pass holders. Cars will only leave the holding area when it is safe for them to do so.

Are you new to the village and want to become involved in the fun? Lots to do, new friends to make. Just turn up – you know where we are at weekends. Last year we were able to give away over £20,000 a tough target to beat this year, but with your support anything is possible!

Does your family want to sponsor a firework? This year’s programme will go to the printers in late September. Call Doreen today.

If you are unable to get home by 17.30 please contact Simon Budd on 01737 842042 or Doreen Bates, on 01737 843041 for Firework Sponsorship. To prevent us having to deliver passes around the village at the ‘last minute’ you must notify us by November 3rd if you require one.

Tony Hines MBE

Chairman

Brockham Bonfire Limited

Return to top