The Mayfield Bonfire Society has held a carnival procession in Mayfield almost every year for nearly a century, except during times of war and typhoid infection. Unfortunately, once again, during our current war against the Covid-19 virus, we will not be holding a Carnival procession in 2020.

Mayfield has had bonfire groups for many years and the current Society was believed to be formed in the 1930s. Members of the Society, known as the Bonfire Boyes and Belles, work throughout the year to raise money and host the carnival, which is held on the third Saturday of the month of September, being closest to the date of the 1556 burnings of Mayfield’s protestant martyrs. 

At over a mile long, with 5,000 burning torches, the Mayfield carnival procession is believed to be the longest in Sussex, other than the Lewes Grand United Procession on 5th November. Thousands of people flock to the village each year to take part in the carnival and watch this spectacular event.