This October the Littlehampton Bonfire Society had to cancel our traditional torchlight parade, bonfire and fireworks event due to adverse weather conditions, and flooding in the area. The fire service naturally had to attend to these emergencies and could not guarantee the society the support we required to run a safe event. This cancellation caused a massive financial loss to the Society that we are genuinely unsure we will be able to survive. The society were running at 100% of cost before cancellation. We make no secret of the fact that our event is expensive. Costs rise annually and were to have been approx £31,000 this year. A full event would therefore cost roughly £33,000 in 2024. In cancelling the event we did not recoup all of the money back. We estimate that even cancelling the event will cost roughly £15,000.
This will significantly reduce our company savings and puts into jeopardy the entire future of the event. LBS’s annual bonfire event, is extremely popular and brings people from far and wide to join the celebration.
It is a local tradition with a 71 year history. It brings income to the town and to local businesses. It is a feather in the cap for Littlehampton, something that not many other towns have. The parade offers a rare opportunity for local groups, clubs and businesses to showcase themselves.
This annual event gives something to the community – a rarity these days. This year LBS had attracted 33 different groups to join the parade from as far afield as London and The Isle of Wight. The Littlehampton Bonfire society is a part of a longstanding tradition in Sussex and a member of the Sussex Association.
The bonfire societies of 9 Sussex towns were to have attended our event 2023. Every year we see such traditions gradually dilute and slowly disappear. Littlehampton lost its summer carnival parade just over 10 years ago – we do not wish to lose this event also!
The society has genuine concern for the future of our event. The committee are looking at a variety of options going forward. We are seeking sponsorship from a variety of sources – this message being one of these. LBS has set the date of 7th February by which we hope to have raised in the region of £10,000. If we fall short of this target then we will not be able to begin to plan for a full parade, bonfire and fireworks event for 2024 and it will likely never return.
If you wish to support the Littlehampton Bonfire Society to be able to go forward then now is the time to get behind us – if you wait, then it may well be too late. The society has to raise a minimum of £10,000 by 7th February or our platinum jubilee event in 2022 is highly likely to have been the last event of its kind in the town.
To donate:
Thank you for your invaluable support!