East Grinstead's fourth Community Bonfire marched on Saturday 17 October with twin-town mayors and Mims Davies MP. What she said, and Crowborough's 5 Nov date.

East Grinstead Community Bonfire held its fourth torchlit procession on Saturday 17 October, and Mims Davies, MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, walked in it alongside town councillors, visiting bonfire societies and mayors from the town’s twin towns in Germany, France and Italy.

The society was formed in 2022 “to bring the tradition of Sussex Bonfire to East Grinstead”. It is a Community Interest Company, and says any profits it makes are reinvested back into the community.

How the night ran

The society’s 2026 programme started with a Remembrance service at the war memorial at 6pm. The procession set off from Church Lane at 7pm, along the High Street and down London Road to Railway Approach, where it paused at 7.45pm. It left again at 8pm, back up London Road, along the High Street, down College Lane and Estcots Drive to East Court, where the bonfire and fireworks began at 9pm.

Mims Davies MP takes a selfie with a man in a dark coat and scarf as bonfire society members in striped jumpers march past with a flag and an illuminated poppy, beneath an East Grinstead ECBC banner
Mims Davies MP in East Grinstead as the torchlit procession passes, led by an illuminated poppy and the society's banner. Photo: supplied by the office of Mims Davies MP

What she said

Ms Davies, who is also Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, said it was a “huge honour to again join the poignant Act of Remembrance and town procession”, naming Deputy Mayor Cllr Pond, Cllr Jacquie Russell and Cllr Ed Godwin among those who walked.

“What a fabulous evening East Grinstead Community Bonfire amazingly well done!

This is a year in the making, planning, fundraising, and logistics from the bonfire, firework, and Marshalls from the fabulous East Grinstead Lions Club - a truly wonderful fourth event which was a massive joy to be part of.

Thank you everyone for making it again a really special night again for the 4th year - this is now an absolute staple to be at - last night with visiting Mayors and Dignitaries from our twin towns from Germany, France, and Italy.”

She thanked “the team The Railway - East Grinstead for a great welcome to everyone on the route switch around” (The Railway is a pub on London Road, where the procession turned at Railway Approach), along with Sussex Police, West Sussex Fire and Rescue “and all the services who kept last night safe and fun for all”.

Mims Davies MP takes a selfie at dusk with Cllr Ed Godwin, Cllr Jacquie Russell and others in a crowd, flags behind them
Mims Davies MP with councillors including Ed Godwin and Jacquie Russell at the bonfire. Photo: supplied by the office of Mims Davies MP

Her night also included a lost phone:

“And a BIG thanks to the kind and very sweet EG people helping with my mini phone disaster!! All found and sorted thanks to Life 360 and so celebrated with late kebabs from East Grinstead Charcoal Grill!! That was a fully memorable Saturday night experience.”

What it means for you

East Grinstead’s night is over for this year; the society posts its news and fundraising raffles on its news and events page and asks new members to get in touch at egcbonfire.sec@gmail.com.

Closer to home, Crowborough’s own free fireworks display is on Thursday 5 November. That date and the rest of the season’s bonfires near us are on our Crowborough fireworks and bonfire season page, and the Rotherfield and Mark Cross bonfire report covers the procession that marched on 3 October.

Have a community story from Crowborough, Uckfield or East Grinstead? Send us your news.