VE Day 80th
Beacon Lighting 9.30pm East Hill
Hastings Gather at the Beacon from 9.15pm, or earlier at The Stade Open Space and Old Town Promenade Eating of fish and Chips
6.30pm ring of the bells of the Old Town Churches: St Clements / All Saints’
9.30pm lighting of the Beacon – Followed by singing of “I vow to thee my country” - please have verse one words on a phone
The Last Post
Lighting of the Lamp for Peace – the light from these and the beacon, representing the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the dreadful darkness of war, along with the nation coming together.
Cadets will present The Lamp to the Deputy Mayor.
The Lamp will be taken to St Clement’s Church People may wish to shine Lamp Lights of Peace on the East Hill, West Hill, Stade Open space or along the promenade at the Stade at 9.30p.m.
To remember to the light that emerged after the war and all the people and animals that served
https://ve80.com/event/hastings-borough-bonfire-society-hastings-sussex-east-west/
https://ve80.com/event/beacon-lighting-hastings-for-ve-80/
Fairlight beacon
There will also be a beacon set off at the same time by Brian at
Battery Hill & Peter James Ln, Fairlight, East Sussex TN35 4AL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qm1Uwo79qcB9JprN8
Our next Hastings Bonfire procession will be on:
18th October 2025
Our 30th anniversary
2025 event - Well, it's our annual torchlit procession, bonfire, effigy and firework display today! Please enjoy it. Please safe!
See the links above, below, and the menu options for more information.
We remember the overthrowing of The Gunpowder Plot in 1605. We have great fun promoting the Sussex bonfire tradition.
Our main event is the Torchlit Procession with Fireworks along the route, Drumming, Bonfire, Effigy and Grand Finale Firework Display on the beach.
This is a 'no ticket' event for the public put on by the hard work and determination of HBBS volunteers. Our members may join in our procession, and join us at processions of other societies throughout the bonfire season
Our own society procession is the longest single torchlit procession in Sussex. It allows us to raise thousands for local community groups and charities.
As part of our October bonfire event's firework display, we have a section of memorial shells sponsored by people wanting to mark the moment by remembering their loved-ones - see page Sponsor a memorial firework shell
It costs thousands to put on this free event, so please support us by donating.
We are extremely grateful to the financial and practical backing of many sponsors and many local businesses. Thank you!
Our purpose is the advancement of the Sussex Bonfire tradition, especially around the Hastings area.
We promote and organise the annual Hastings bonfire torch-lit procession, bonfire, firework and effigy displays and to promote and raise awareness of the bonfire tradition in Sussex, and incidental purposes. We will also assist other organisations undertaking similar events, and we support local community events in various ways including some collecting & disbursement of donations (thousands annually).
We also operate a commercial firework display subsidiary, Renegade Pyrotechnics limited, which trains personnel in pyrotechnics and fundraises for the Hastings traditional bonfire and firework celebration by putting on bonfire shows for local parties, weddings and primary schools. As the pyro team are volunteers, we are able to accrue enough profit for fireworks for our annual beach display, most years with no central society funding for the firework display.
These events and activities are for the benefit of members, the local community, to help encourage visitors to the area and to promote and educate about the Sussex bonfire tradition, including traditional crafts to achieve this.
If you enjoy our event and want to join us, then come along to one of our meetings at 8pm on the Second Tuesday of every month at The White Rock Hotel, then please feel free, or apply for membership for £15, details here.
Who are we?
We are a group of volunteers who make Hastings Bonfire the largest single Bonfire celebration in Sussex! This fantastic event is put on through the dedication and sheer hard work of the members and volunteers. It is financed by: Fundraising of HBBS Members, Renegade Pyrotechnics, Our Sponsors, additional services provided by Hastings Borough Council e.g. road sweeping, public toilets and the use of Pelham Place Carpark.
We always welcome new members (until August) and volunteers. See Support or Membership for more information.
Support us: -
Sponsors - thank you!
Members info and link to members website
Services offered to raise funds for our bonfire event: -
Marshal team hire for your event
Fireworks for your private events
Related websites
Renegade Pyrotechnics website
HBBS Members Private website
(see access instructions here)