Guy Fawkes Celebration

Dave Cowan Recalls, Bonfires in the road

When I was a boy back in the late 1940’s we had our Guy Fawkes bonfire in the centre of the road.  By the time I was a teenager they were held on the field at the back of Watlington Road, part of Jotman’s Farm. There was competition between the boys of the South Downs estate and those from the station area to try to light each other’s bonfire a few days before the 5th of November.  So the older boys used to sleep out in the field to guard their built bonfire.

This is where we had our bonfire in the centre of the road, at the junction of Watlington Road and Perry Road.
Margaret March
The field at the rear of Watlington Road looking across to Jotman's farm.
Margaret March
Bonfire night a bonfire in the road.
2 mins How the residents of Watlington Road had a bonfire in the road.
The locals held their bonfire party at the junction of Watlington Road and Perry Road

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