This month's lunch was Crispy Cod Goujuns served on a bed of Stir Fried Savoury Rice with Sweet Chilli Sauce. Dessert was a Chocolate Mousse and home-made Shortbread.
After such delights it would have been easy to fall asleep but such were the presentation skills of our speaker Andy Thomas that we all sat enthralled for nearly an hour learning about Lewes and its Bonfire Night.
The Bonfire Night is an exciting and extremely noisy event attracting thousands to the streets of Lewes, and although it is not quite as dangerous as in times gone past (Health and Safety have to be obeyed) you need to keep your wits about you to avoid the fire crackers and tar barrels rolling down the road.
Andy who hails from Lewes explained that the Bonfire Night is not just one procession but in fact up to seven organised by the local societies, and not just for fun but to raise funds for local charities too. The participants distinctive black and white striped costumes date back to the time when the Government banned Bonfire Night. Back then the Lewes townsfolk being a stubborn lot continued anyway and so as not to be recognised by the law, all wore the same outfit. No one was ever charged and the law was eventually repealed. Apparently Lewes folks are still very stubborn, so when Greene King took over The Lewes Arms pub in 2007 and stopped selling the locally brewed Harveys Ale, they picketed it until the ale was put back in the pumps!
Andy has written a book about the Lewes Bonfires and details of this and other fascinating topics can be found on Andy's website www.truthagenda.org
I'm not sure we could arrange a Probus Club outing to the Bonfire Night but we might think about incorporating a visit to Lewes to sample the Harvey's Ale and see the streets where the tar barrels roll some time in the future!
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