Hastings Bonfire 2010

Rewind back to the 16th of this month and what did we have but Hastings Bonfire.

Its always a great bonfire with a really big turn out and lots of great fireworks which always look stuning over the water.

We all met in the usual place at the end of the seafront by the arcades. There were a couple of new drummers and new outfits too, everyone was looking great!

After a warm up and a drum off wth the Lewes tubthumpers it was time to get into line ready for the precession. It kicked off around 7pm.

We were at the back which meant we avoided any kind of fireworks and bangers near the front. There was a great turn out of drummers which meant through the small streets of Hastings it was tight to fit us all in, in our lines of 4 but with such a good turnout we sounded awsome as always. It meant too that Anna and Roz could nip out and take some photos of us drumming to use for the website and Blog.

By 10pm all the fireworks were over and the bonfire nearly burnt and it was getting cold so time to head home. Was a brilliant night.

Now with last week off (no bonfires) this saturday the 30/10/10 we have South Heighton. It starts at around 6:30pm if you would like to come and see us. See you there!!

This weekend

So after a very wet Rotherfield bonfire last saturday night this weekend is Eastbourne bonfire for us.

Last year Eastbourne started to have a small bonfire again after not having one. It was great and we also drummed with section 5 under the bandstand which with 45 odd drummer sounded awsome.

It starts from the Grand hotel end of the seafront around 7:30 heading up towards the pier.

Anna will be giving out the trophie to the best bonfire society in the Hall afterwards.

Lets hope the weather stays sunny like today for this as i am sure none of us want to get soaked and cold again this weekend.

There will be an update and pictures to follow next week!!!!

Look out for us and give us a cheer should you be there!!!

Burgess Hill Bonfire

Burgess Hill's celebrations are amongst the earliest in the Sussex Bonfire season and a large group of beautifully turned out drummers met in the Cyprus Road car park on Saturday 25 September. As the sun set, the car park filled with Bonfire Boys & Girls from many different Bonfire Societies and some splendid new costumes were clearly getting an outing.

The Pentacle Drummers were not to be outdone, on the appearance front and a deal of creativity had been put into costumes and face paint. We abandon our green tatters for a much darker, Gothic, look for Bonfire and with new lights and drum trimmings, we looked quite the business at Burgess Hill.





After some early "tuning up", the Captain of Bands soon invited us to fall into place in the procession and some serious drumming started. The linked video (below) gives an indication of just how awesomely audible we were.

Now Burgess Hill is an "urban bonfire" - which basically means marching along roads as opposed to wading through fields full of cowpats or wandering down long country lanes full of absolutely nothing at all. The route is long and energetic for all that and those of us who had opted for new, glow in the dark sticks soon realised that this wasn't the greatest of ideas once hands got hot and "glowy"! It was also a generally warm evening and after the first procession, some layers of extra underpinnings got discreetly abandoned while we took a brief break before the Grand Procession to the firesite.


Reforming to march down through the town, we put our all into the performance and were really on form. We got a tremendous, and very much appreciated, response from the spectators and this raised our game even further. Finally reaching the firesite and fairground we rewarded ourselves with some light refreshments while waiting for the fireworks and judging of the fancy dress and visiting societies and bands. Would we regain the trophy for best band, we wondered? While waiting to discover that we hadn't, some of us entered the competitions and we really thought we had a chance in the children's class but hopes were dashed by a very small child wearing a very great deal of Tudor costume!


After the firework display it was time to enjoy a brief warm by the fire and All The Fun of the Fair.



All good things have to come to an end and finally, it was time for the long walk back to the car park - return journeys always seem so much longer without a procession or a drum - and home. Everyone had enjoyed a fine Bonfire Night in Burgess Hill and we left looking forwards to more successful outings during the Sussex Bonfire season.

Video link
The Pentacle Drummers can be heard from the start, two minutes into the video we actually make an appearance!

Pictures by Roz South

The Dolman

The Dolman was back in January and takes place in Essex. Its organised by the Dolman and has various acts perform including belly dancers, singers and drummers.

Here are a few Pictures...


Pictures by Annavr6Photography

Southover medieval day

In May we did a medieval day in Southover in Lewes. We marched through the town where alot of shoppers and shop workers came out to see what was happening,

We then marched to the Grange in Southover where there was a small Fete happening with stools and activities for the children.

This was a morning only event and what a beautiful sunny morning it had been. Again well done to all tthat turned up as there was alot of drummers.

Hunters Moon Wassail

A few more photos from Hunters Moon Wassail