You should be in our East Sussex village: rivers of fire flowing back and forth through the village as armies of flaming torch bearers from other towns and villages marched around, teams of drummers, deafening bangers and blinding flares, a huge bonfire, and one of the longest and most stunning firework displays we have ever seen. 20 people are sleeping in my house after the event, mountains of food and wine were devoured by them and other guests; quiet is descending at last and I am gently winding down. Many of us were French, and the Marseillaise rang out so loudly we were afraid the police would accuse us of being rowdy. One of them was depressed and weepy about her son, a Paris policeman, being in danger. An extraordinary evening.
Sussex has Bonfire Night every week in each town and village in turn, starting in October and ending with us.