Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society We Dare FuseNews Your regular update to all that’s going on with Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society

The NJBS Newsletter! August 2017 Badge Night and Need a Bar? Farewell to Fletching Dates for the Diary 50th celebrations Membership Evening If you’re planning an Bonfire Society Think Bonfire starts in As it’s out 50th, we’ve Want to know when event then use the NJBS We say goodbye to one October? Think again! got some special events you can renew your Bar Team! Please see of the oldest See page 3 for what’s planned, starting with membership? See page Page 3 for more details. Societies. See page 2 coming up. the Bonfire. 1 for more details. for details. See page 3 for more details.

Nevill Extravaganza 2017

Well, it was a great day and a fantastic Thanks go to the Cliffe, Waterloo and evening as ever on the Green. Thank you to Southover Bonfire Societies for Badge Night everyone that supported the Society. participating in the Bonfire Tug O' War Badge Night will be on 2nd September from and thank you to Commercial Square 7:30pm at St Mary’s Supporters Club on Not only is the Extravaganza an Bonfire Society for helping with the Christie Road (behind St Mary’s Social important day in our calendar, but it setup and providing the marquees. Centre). also raises significant funds for the Thank you to Richard Edwards for Society so that every member can enjoy This is the time to renew your judging the Tug O' War and the Mayor subsidised membership fees. membership and find out what we have for presenting the trophies. planned for our 50th celebrations. If you The increasing cost of fireworks and wish to help out then come speak to a insurance means we have to raise more Finally, thank you to all the Nevill committee member or one of the money than ever before just to maintain Juvenile Bonfire Society members that officers. the same level that our members have helped with the Extravaganza, whether you were dressed as a suffragette or in come to expect. Alternatively, we’ll have membership your civvies. And congratulations to the evening on 13th October from 3:00pm Many thanks to Steve Franklin and Nevill men's team and Cliffe ladies on until 8:30pm at St Mary’s Hall on Starfish musicians as well as Full House winning the Tug O' War competitions. Highdown Road. for providing a great day of music. Also, We hope you enjoyed the day as much thanks to the Sussex Ghostbusters, Mr For further details please contact our as we did and look forward to the next Pineapple Head and Mrs Brown for Membership Secretary at big event which is, of course, Our Night! entertaining the crowd. Thank you to [email protected]. the suffragettes for running the tea stand.

1! FuseNews - August 2017 Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society

Farewell to Fletching Trevor Gearing: A Tribute Bonfire Society: 1854-2017 Trevor Gearing, who passed away earlier in will continue to fire the flames of Fletching Bonfire Society are one of the the Summer, was a long time supporter of tradition. oldest Sussex Bonfire Societies tracing their Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society. NJBS history back to 1854. However 2017 will, President Phil Amey has written the From my very first meeting with Trevor, unfortunately, be their last. following tribute. some 50 years ago, we have remained firm Fletching Bonfire Society’s night has I first met Trevor when I was 14, friends. He long been an important date in the however, I suspect that Trevor knew me was there bonfire calendar having fantastic from the day I was born. I think the for my displays and a long and rich history. phrase "I know your Mum and Dad" Wedding was quite prevalent back then. I met to Jane Despite the great night they put on, with Trevor to get his help with the Amey and active help amongst residents within the forming of the Nevill Juvenile Bonfire offered to village has fallen in recent years to the Society. drive us in extent that it is no longer viable to run his Morris the Society. Other Societies are also I'm a founder member and its current 1800 (see finding it difficult. President. Julia and Trevor would invite photo), We at Nevill Juvenile are not immune to us to have dinner, in relays, while causing preparing for our night. During Dinner this as we have also seen a drop in congestion active help despite the fact that Trevor would tell us about Bonfires Past on School and his families involvement. membership numbers have never been Hill, outside the registry office. higher. Trevor was a wealth of knowledge, on He would always send cards to our many subjects, as I've found out through If you wish to see Nevill Bonfire Daughter, Cassandra, often addressed to continue in the future then we need the years. I've spent many hours with "Ruth", Cassandra Aitchison's middle Trevor learning the History of members to come forward and help out name and was my Mother’s name, in preparation for Our Night. There are Bonfire and how integral his family has always saying to me - I hope you don't been to the celebrations. many roles that people can take on (see mind. June’s FuseNews) and even just a few He told me how his Father and Uncles I moved away from Lewes with my job hours can make a big difference. If went off to the First World War in the but, whenever I returned I would do my you’re willing to help contact us at ranks of the Royal Sussex Regiment. It best to find the time to call in to see [email protected]. was soon learned that this group of men Trevor, Julia and Margaret. Trevor was Several Fletching Bonfire Society had a secret; They, between them, could my Mentor and my friend. make the Lewes Rouser. I am led to members help Nevill Bonfire on a believe that they spent some of their There is a quote by Terry Pratchett regular basis and we wish them well on time in the war crawling through No Fletching’s night which will surely Man’s Land and dropping their "It has been said that a man is not dead prove to be a fantastic and memorable homemade devices into the Front-Line while his name is still spoken. That we evening. Trenches of the Enemy. are only truly gone when we disappear from the memories of those who loved As long as there is Lewes Bonfire, us" Trevor's name will be remembered. Like Well, Trevor is alive in my Memory and all the lifelong bonfire boys their spirit that of my Family and we loved him.

2! FuseNews - August 2017 Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society

Need a Bar for a Private Function? Committee & Officers PRESIDENT Running bars is one of our major fundraisers Phil Amey throughout the year. We do COMMITTEE weddings, anniversaries, parties or any social Chair: Norma Thompson occasion. Vice-Chair: Kevin Brown Secretary: Mike Fisk We provide the drink, Treasurer: Clare Pritchard the bar, the staff and the OFFICERS glass to take away all the hassle of organising Safety Adviser: Mick Stevenson your night. So if you Captain of Effigy: Luke Brown Captain of Tableau: Ben Overton & Darren Parker know of anyone that is Captain of Aerial Fireworks: Kevin Brown planning a special Captain of Set Pieces: Bob Thomas occasion then please email us at [email protected]. Captain of Firesite: Caroline Lipscombe Captain of Bonfire: Andy Brown Captain of Torches: Keith Brown Commander-in-Chief: Chris Isted Captain of Banners & Street Pieces: James Isted Start of the 50th: The Cutting of the Captain of Tar Barrels: Sarah Ellis & Kate French Membership Secretary: Sarah Earl Centre Pole Captain of Programme: Phil Duncan Captain of Bands: Anne Stevenson The cutting of the centre pole is traditionally the first act in building the Bonfire. Chief Collector: Hannah & Steve Crowhurst This year we’re reviving the tradition for our 50th. Merchandise Co-ordinator: Roger Palmer & Norma Thompson All members are welcome to come join us on the 8th October to signify Clergy: Ben Edmonds & Silvy Johnson the start of the 2017 celebrations. The time is yet to be confirmed but Out Meeting Co-ordinator: Roger Palmer we’ll give you an update nearer the time. Out Firework Displays: Luke Brown Publicity & Press: Ben Overton

Additional Committee Members: Andy Brown, Keith Brown, Luke Brown, Charles Field, Ralph Johnson, Out-meetings! Kevin Miller, Ben Overton, Darren Parker, Anne Stevenson, Mick Stevenson, Bob Thomas and Luke One of the great benefits of being a member is you get to go on the out-meetings Vuillemey across Sussex. We’ll be running coaches from the Black Horse pub which will cost £10 per person, coaches normally leave early evening. Dates for the Diary The out-meetings for this year are: Every Sunday - We will be down the Land torch- making as well as effigy and tableau building from 16th September: Mayfield 9:00am to 1:00pm 23rd September: 2nd September - Badge Night, St Mary’s Supporter’s Club, Christie Road. From 7:30pm. 30th September: Rotherfield

14th October: 3rd September - Helpers BBQ. We’ll be having a 28th October: Ewhurst & Staplecross barbecue down the Land for all members. From 1pm.

4th November: South Street (no coach!) 9th September - Jumble Sale, Ringmer Village Hall. 11th November: East Hoathly Sorting starts at midday, doors open 2:00pm. 18th November: 8th October - Cutting of the Centre Pole, Firesite. Time 25th November: Hawkhurst TBC.

13th October - Membership Evening, St Mary’s Hall, If you are interested in joining the coach please contact Roger Palmer on Highdown Road. 3:00pm - 8:30pm. 07535 495556 or Kate French on 07708 837176. Of course, you can always travel under your own steam. 21st October - Our Night, the Nevill Estate.

4th November - We will be processing with South Street Bonfire Society. Please see the South Street programme for details

3! FuseNews - August 2017