Celebrating the Horsham Bonfire Boys

Many people will be taking part in Bonfire Night tonight (or on other nights), watching colourful fireworks light up the night sky at various organised and private events.

However, imagine Horsham’s streets full of people watching a large procession of folk dressed in all manner of costumes, accompanied by carts containing flaming cauldrons and fireworks lighting up the sky, before a massive bonfire is lit in the centre of town!

Well, 200 years ago that’s exactly what did happen! The town had its own Bonfire Society, with a torchlight procession through the town, fireworks and the burning of a guy, all watched by hundreds of people.

Horsham Bonfire Society became so popular that its members were colloquially called ‘Horsham Bonfire Boys’.

Firework events in Horsham town can be dated back to at least 1865 when, it was reported, a large quantity were set off in parts of the town, including Market Square. However, these nights in the following years saw an increase in lawlessness and disorder.

This anti-social behaviour threatened to get out of control, so a group of men decided to form a local bonfire society in 1870. It was noted that: ‘the result has been really marvellous. Confidence is restored. The roughs are away into harmlessness, and a pleasing pyrotechnical display is provided without an atom of danger attending it.’

The Society made its headquarters in the Kings Head Hotel in Horsham’s Carfax where meetings were held on a regular basis.

To pay for the fireworks society members paid subscriptions, but the town was also divided into three and various ‘collectors’ were appointed who ‘went on their rounds’ and met with a fair amount of success. However, it was noted that there were ‘well-known faces’ who didn’t contribute but were happy to watch the celebrations!

While the reports of the time suggest most people had fun and behaved, there remained some who caused trouble. The Society’s accounts for 1876 reveal three payouts for repairs, plus an advert in the paper that offered a reward for information about those involved in breaking several windows by throwing stones.

A letter in the paper also reported that two women, one a domestic servant, were injured when fireworks got caught up in their clothes.

In 1877 the announcement of the procession included the request that: ‘The Committee earnestly solicit the co-operation of the public in keeping order, and trust they will refrain from running in the ranks during the procession or letting off fireworks in dwelling houses.’

However, that year it was reported that a man was blinded by a ‘runner’ – a pyrotechnic device that possibly ran on wheels and was taken through the procession.

Despite these problems, the society procession continued until 1885 when so few people turned up at its meeting it was decided ‘to abandon the idea of having the customary demonstration’ that year. An event was held the following year but the final mention of the society in the local paper was in 1887, although no event was held.

At its height, though, the celebrations were something to behold. Some of the ‘Boys’ were dressed in bows and flowers, ribbons and laces. Others dressed in costumes representing various countries. Villagers would make their way into Horsham and marvel as the Kings Head Hotel gates were thrown open to reveal the procession.

It would be headed by Horsham Town Band, supported by the Fife and Drum Band. The procession would proceed down Middle Street, West Street, Springfield Road, London Road, Richmond Terrace, North Street, down New Street to Bedford Road, East Parade, Queen Street, East Street, Market Square, South Street and then to Gaol Green in the Carfax (site of the old jail).

The Society had its own banner which would be near the front and various carts would join in, carrying flaming cauldrons, and fireworks would be shooting up into the sky. The guy, based on a well-known character (eg the Czar of Russia) would follow along with members of the public carrying coloured torches, flags and candles.

The Horsham Bonfire Boys were not done and dusted, though, in 1887 as they made a re-appearance in the early 1930s thanks to three young lads who met in a chicken house!

Jesse Gatwicke, Fred Potter and Harry Laker revived the occasion in 1931 and, with three others, paid a penny a week to pay for fireworks and bonfire. Their number rose to 18 and meetings moved to a Mrs Manvells’ front parlour (before they could eventually afford to hire a venue).

The procession started in Park Terrace West, then through Clarence Road, Oakhill Road, New Street, Park Street, North Street, London Road, Springfield Road, West Street, round the Carfax, East Street then Brighton Road to Gorings Mead. A crowd of nearly 600 at its height in 1934 watched as the bonfire was lit and the fireworks filled the sky.

The new Horsham Bonfire Boys continued for a few more years but seemed to fade out and by the end of the decade there was no time or interest in such events as war started.