I have collected a little information about Lewes. These links should allow you to form your own conclusions about it. My own impression is of a night carnival, masses of firecrackers, five brilliant displays, destruction of tableaux of irritating personalities (Pokemon?!), and an element of anti-papistry. (I deliberately choose an archaic expression).

This site has links to various sites with background to the bonfire societies in and around Lewes. Some of them are hosted by a familiar name, which I had no reason to recognise when I first bookmarked it. But they include material from the societies, with their own views of themselves.

Lewes Background

I don't know about local church involvement - I'm of local extraction, but never resident there.

This page includes a background to the history, but also a feedback page, which includes a posting from a society member.

Fawkes page

This book is written by a local, and a Catholic who has a better understanding than I.

Streets of Fire: a Hymn to Lewes and the Bonfire Celebrations, Andy Thomas. Paperback (20 October, 1999) SB Publications; ISBN: 1857701933

Most of what happens has very little religious element, and some of what there is is anti-clerical rather than anti-catholic.

The Guardian www.newsunlimited site for last Wednesday, in the Society section, has an article covering the issue.

The tar barrels, by the way, are mostly oil-drums, halved along the long axis. I believe that once upon a time, barrels were rolled down the steep hill into the river.

Penny