Robin Hood Bonfire Society’s November Fifth Celebrations Bring Year of Activity and Success to Colourful Climax
The village of Icklesham, three miles from Rye, must be one of the most active communities in the country. They have always been hot on Soccer and Cricket at Icklesham, running three soccer teams for many of the past 50 seasons and having an active Cricket Club that has proved the equal of many of their peers over the years.
In recent times the village pub has become a centre for many new activities. The Robin Hood was runner up in the “Best Village Pub in England” competition last year.
Icklesham Bonfire Society was formed eight years ago with it’s Headquarters at ‘The Robin’ and this has spawned many fund raising activities resulting in other regular Village events.
There are Boot Fairs throughout the summer on the field adjoining the Pub and recently the Society have taken on the running of the other regular Boot Fair site at Elm Farm.
An Annual week long Beer Festival draws crowds from far and near.
Another annual event is the Auction of Promises, held in the open air on August Bank Holiday Monday. This year the Auction raised £1,500. At the Auction one of the lots sold was for the right to light the bonfire. The option was sold to Jo’ Burchett for £65 and resulted in her nine year old grand daughter Sammy Jo’ Burchett being nominated to set the 2002 pyre ablaze.
Money gathered from these events funds the Robin Hood Bonfire Night Celebrations. An estimated 2,000 people attended this years event and enjoyed an evening of fireworks and colour. The Hastings Drummers brought an extra touch of excitement to the occasion with a fine performance of synchronised percussion rhythms. A massive 30 minute firework display set the evening sky ablaze with colour. The event raised an estimated £5,000, a large proportion of which will be presented to charities on their December 2 Presentation Night.
Well done Robin Hood, well done Robin Hood Bonfire Society and well done Icklesham.
From the December 2002 issue of “Rye’s Own”
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