We are delighted to announce that our village bonfire celebrations on Saturday 19 September are cleared to proceed with additional safety measures. This follows our Planning Committee Meeting earlier this week where we considered all the risk assessments, and contact with the Bonfire Safety Advisory Group (SAG, which includes East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service) and our insurers.  

The Government wildfire alert is no longer in place and the official Natural England fire severity index for the Mayfield area is low from 9th September, so the SAG has confirmed there is no reason we cannot proceed as planned. Our insurers have concurred.  We have also been assured by SGN that the gas work on Fletching Street will be completed and the road fully reopened to allow the procession to reach the Rose & Crown and return. 

So the torchlit procession will definitely take place. As a precaution and to reassure villagers, water barrels will line the procession route for emergency use. In addition our stalwart Scouts will be assisted by a crew from Heathfield Bonfire Society in clearing used torches from the streets in double quick time, reducing any risk of verge singeing. We are also being assisted by a crew from Heathfield fire station. 

We anticipate having a modified fireworks display, ground and weather conditions permitting. As happens every year, wind speeds will be monitored to ensure the display can proceed without danger. In addition the display has been slightly revised to only include aerial fireworks and additional spotters will be in place to ensure safety. 

Our hope is to also have our bonfire but the final decision on this will be taken in the week beforehand, depending on ground and predicted weather conditions at the time. If it can go ahead, the fire site is to be moved further into Court Meadow and away from any trees and nearby properties. 

The Bonfire Society truly hopes this gives all villagers confidence that we have considered and planned for all the likely risks and are only proceeding because we believe it is safe to do so. We all live in the village ourselves and would never knowingly risk your or our homes, livelihoods and community. We are using our collective experience of many decades to plan for and mitigate every risk we can identify, as we do every year. 

We will post further updates about the event timings in the coming days, along with details of the High Street window and Build-A-Guy competitions, so watch this space. In the meantime, our annual Programme is now available in the Post Office and Sew Inspired for the princely sum of £2 which provides all the information you could need about the night.

Visiting Societies can download their joining instructions and order of procession from the events page

Mayfield Bonfire Celebrations 2026