Lewes Bonfire Night effigies include a urinating Boris Johnson
- Published
An effigy of Boris Johnson urinating on newspapers was burned during the Lewes bonfire celebrations
An effigy of Boris Johnson urinating on newspapers has been torched at this year's annual Lewes Bonfire Night parade.
The event was organised by seven bonfire societies, many of which date to the 19th Century.
In previous years at least 60,000 people have attended.
Sussex Police had urged people to "stay local" this year but Lewes Borough Bonfire Society estimated about 30,000 would turn out.
Lewes Bonfire: Thousands attend parade
Lewis Bonfire Society estimated about 30,000 would attend this year's event
The event is organised by seven bonfire societies
Burning torches have been held by those taking part in the parade
Commercial Square, Cliffe, Lewes Borough, South Street, Southover and Waterloo societies took part in this year's event.
Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society is the only Lewes society not to hold its celebrations on 5 November - instead opting for 16 November this year.
Costumes have included smugglers, war veterans and Vikings
Each society chooses an effigy to burn, typically a celebrity or politician.
Nigel Farage was the first to be officially unveiled this year, and he was later joined by Neptune the Roman God of the sea.
Neptune, the Roman God of the sea, was one of the effigies
Other effigies included a depiction of a protest against the ending of free TV licences for the over 75s, and a Brexit rollercoaster featuring the prime minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg lounging in the carriages.
Participants also carried burning barrels and crosses. These hark back to the 17 Protestant martyrs who were burnt in Lewes during the reign of Mary I.
A Brexit rollercoaster was one of the effigies
A depiction of a protest against the end to free TV licences for all over 75s
In previous years at least 60,000 people have turned out for the celebrations
Pope effigies are also common and are meant to represent Pope Paul V who led the Catholic Church at the time the martyrs were burnt.
Costumes worn by revellers include smugglers, war veterans and Vikings.
Onlooker Alex Flowers said of the event on Twitter there was "nothing like it".
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Roads around the town were closed off hours before the start of the event and local train services were suspended.
Sussex Police had urged people to "stay local" for this year's Bonfire Night celebrations
Fires were lit around the town
An effigy of Guy Fawkes was paraded through the streets
Many of the societies involved in organising the event date to the 19th Century
All images copyrighted
- Published30 October 2019
- Published5 November 2019
