Another example of battling in song (of a sort) from Bonfire can be found in the long tradition of Cliffe and East Hoathly Bonfire Society members competing in the the back bar of the Foresters Arms.

After the processions and fireworks at East Hoathly, members of both Societies go back to the Foresters. The back bar will have been cleared of furniture and wall hangings by a prudent management and sawdust strewn on the floor, as everyone is muddy, smoky and lightly drizzled with paraffin. The room is so tightly packed that anyone weighing less than twelve stone is likely to be lifted off their feet.

A group of empty oildrums is set up at each end of the room. About ten members of each Society mount the barrels, usually rather unsteadily and clinging together for balance, and then lead songs directed against the other society, their friends joining in from the floor. The songs are mainly Bonfire variants of rugby and football chants ('It's All Gone Quiet Over There,' and 'Can You Hear East Hoathly Sing' for example). The Cliffe certainly write occasional songs slandering the opposition and circulate the words on the coaches travelling to the village. The aim is to drown out the opposing singers and the effect isn't very musical, but it's certainly lively. One year Cliffe members dressed in East Hoathly costumes and captured their barrels before the Hoathly boys could arrive, which was a bit of a coup. I have known a few fireworks (rookies) get let off inside during the proceedings, which means that localised patches of smouldering sawdust add an extra piquancy to the atmosphere.

Valmai (Cliffe Bonfire Society)