Welcome to the Brockham Bonfire's website, here you can find all of the information you need to have a great time at the bonfire.
Brockham Bonfire 2021
It is with much regret that the directors of Brockham Bonfire have decided that we cannot hold the bonfire again this year.
While it is clear that Covid restrictions are easing, there is still great uncertainty about what guidelines will still be in force or may have to be reimposed in November.
The bonfire is an extremely complex event. Most importantly, we cannot regulate the numbers of people who attend the event and yet we have to demonstrate that we can create a covid safe environment. This is almost impossible. Furthermore, we rely on hundreds of volunteers to help us on the evening but we already know that many are worried about helping this year.
On that basis, we think it makes sense to focus our efforts on a spectacular night in November 2022.
Very importantly, we need to make sure that no one leaves piles of rubbish around the village for collection this autumn.
Stay strong, stay safe and as one of our senior life-long supporters said, “we had to wait six years for a bonfire in 1939” we can certainly wait another year this time around.
Thank-you again for your fantastic support and we look forward to seeing everyone on 5th November 2022.
The Directors of Brockham Bonfire
Click here to read
Important Infomation
Brockham Village is very proud of its heritage and especially the traditions behind our annual Guy Fawkes Night Celebrations that we can date back 140 years. The annual event is organised by volunteers who between them give thousands of hours of their time freely to ensure that these traditions are upheld in a very safe environment.
With a great many visitors in a small village it is imperative that if you choose to attend you fully appreciate and understand the guidance provided on our web site.
It is important to read both the summary and detailed advice below
Click here for detailed infomation
History of the Bonfire
The earliest record we have of Bonfire Night Celebrations in Brockham is a photograph of a ‘Bonfire Boy’, L. Gilliam, dated 1888. The picture, taken at a photographic studio in Dorking demonstrates time, effort and cost and indicates that the traditions of Bonfire Night in Brockham was well established at this time.
The Dorking Advertiser began to report in some detail on the Bonfire Celebrations during the early years of the 20th Century. We know that the festivities ceased during both world wars. Detailed records are available from ‘Minute Books’ and various records from 1930 to date. Bonfires were built to celebrate both VE and VJ Day in 1945. A small bonfire was built to celebrate VE Day +50 in 1995.
The celebrations have centred around the building of a bonfire, firework display, torchlight procession and pig roast to this day.
When cricket was played on the Village Green work could not begin on bonfire building until the cricket season ended. The bonfire then was built in a few weekends and consisted largely of ‘hedge trimmings’ from farmers’ fields. Today, the Brockham Bonfire Celebrations are a model of event safety and organisation with highly experienced Stewards and Event Safety Coordinators.
How To Get Here
Many people attending the bonfire walk to get there, however, there are dedicated parking places for those who drive. Below is a map of the dedicated parking zones as well as which roads are closed for the event. We ask that you follow road signs and instructions provided by the bonfire.
- NO PARKING ON PROCESSION ROUTE
- FOLLOW THE SIGNS
- CARPARKS WILL BE SIGNPOSTED
- BE PREPARED FOR A BRISK 20MIN WALK
Map Key
Car Parks
Road closures
The Bonfire
Procession Route
