27 pictures of the Littlehampton Bonfire 2022 celebrations – procession, bonfire, fireworks and more

Featuring an artisan market and funfair during the day, and the traditional procession, bonfire and fireworks at night – thousands of people came along to enjoy the spectacular.

Organised by Littlehampton Bonfire Society, the amount collected during the event is not yet known, but it is hoped it will be enough to ensure the event can run again next year.

Saturday night Littlehampton came alive with the bonfire society’s annual traditional

torchlight parade, lovely big bonfire and amazing firework display. There was a truly

impressive turnout during the evening.

The day began with an artisan market organised by LOCA. There were stalls, an organ and

members in costume in the town centre. Then at 2pm Cole’s funfair on the promenade

opened and the crowds started to build.

There was a short service at the war memorial with music and blazing torches held by

members in costume and led by Mr Barry Bastable, the Commander-in-Chief of the society.

From 4.30 the illuminated floats made their final preparations. Marching groups and bands

all converged on the town. The excitement mounted.

Once Jessica Wells, the bonfire princess and the visiting bonfire societies were assembled,

then the torches were lit and the parade began. Happy townsfolk enjoyed the spectacle of

the traditional costumed torchlight parade. Then Barry, the commander, Glenn Donaldson,

the Chief Parade Marshal and Stuart Capelin, the Aide de Campe threw the first torches

onto the bonfire.

Once all of the bonfire societies arrived at the green and the bonfire was blazing then the

spectacular pyrotechnic display commenced. This year being the 70th anniversary of the

society, of course the fireworks were even more exciting than usual!

The following prizes were awarded:

Illuminated floats: 1 Newport 2 Ryde 3 Ventnor

Walking groups: 1 Rustington Raiders 2 LMCS 3 Rhythm & Melody Theatre

Best Youth: Rustington Raiders

Best dressed visiting societies: 1 Worthing 2 Eastbourne 3 Uckfield

Visiting best dressed female: Catherine Carr (Who the Devil are We)

Visiting best dressed male: Stephen Jarvis (Burgess Hill)

LBS junior: 1st Toby Bastable 2nd Lewes Bates

LBS Best dressed female: Catherine Robinson

LBS Best dressed male: Paul Howard

Best dressed society Pair: Damon Whittle and Venetta Rose

The society raised £6,576 during the street collection.

A further £1,213 was raised through the Just Giving page and £130 by donation.

As our followers will be aware, this year for the first time the society is collecting not for local

good causes, but for our own survival. To be in a good position to be able to start to prepare

for next year’s event we hope to raise £10,000 by the end of the year. We have kept our

Just Giving page open so that our supporters may help us reach our goal:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/littlehamptonbonfiresociety-lbs?utm_term=Nw3r76

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