We are inviting HDBS members to partake in a sponsored walk on Sunday 29th September 2019, starting at 11am at Waldron’s Star Inn, following the 117 year old and seven mile long torchlit procession route of the former Waldron Bonfire Society of the early 20th century.
Waldron (Street) Bonfire Society existed from circa 1902 until 1912 and again from 1932 until around 1936. The society’s procession route was described in various Sussex Express articles of the time as “arduous and lengthy”, “imposing” and “the envy of a town”. This seven mile route took in the “principle residences” of the Parish of Waldron from the village’s Star Inn to the bonfire site at Moat Lake Field, opposite the Lucas Hall, via the Rectory in Heathfield High Street and Cross-in-Hand.
This is your opportunity to step back in time to Wednesday 5th November 1902 and walk in the footsteps of the Heathfield District’s bonfiring heritage. Your chance to ‘re-stage’ an occasion which attracted a “large influx of visitors from the surrounding district” and saw “hundreds of miniature bonfires in the Heathfield district and nearly as many ‘guys’ were destroyed in the flames”. Torches (unlit!) will be available to hold, two banners inscribed “Waldron Bonfire Society” and “God Save the King” will be on display and a flag held by a “stalwart ‘Long Tom’”, as all described in the Sussex Express article of 1902, will be present to give the event an authentic flavour of the Edwardian past.
Please let Brady or Esther know if you wish to take part in this historical sponsored walk and simply obtain your sponsorship form, for your friends and family to donate, from here…
This is a HDBS Members-Only event. All money which you raise will go to Heathfield & District Bonfire Society and be used to help fund Heathfield’s local bonfire event.
HDBS Waldron Walk Sponsorship Form: Download PDF