A traditional 200-year-old torchlit procession in Uckfield, East Sussex has been cancelled due to safety fears over wildfires. The event was scheduled for this weekend but organizers have decided to cancel it after receiving advice from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. Instead of traditional torches, residents are being encouraged to bring battery-powered lanterns and fairy lights. This is the 199th year of the procession, which is one of Uckfield's oldest traditions, but insurers have refused to cover the event due to the increased risk of fires.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Uckfield, a 1220-year-old town in East Sussex, has canceled its annual torchlit procession, which was scheduled to take place this weekend. The decision was made due to concerns over wildfires, following weeks of dry weather and the UK government's recent emergency announcement warning of increased fire risk. Organizers were also told that their insurers would not cover the event, leading them to consider the safety risks further. To mitigate these risks, residents are being encouraged to bring battery-powered lanterns and fairy lights instead of traditional torches. The cancellation includes a fireworks display that was set to kick off the weekend's celebrations. This decision comes amid concerns about fire safety, which have led to similar cancellations or restrictions on events across the UK.
Written for “Fire Restrictions on Procession” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 6610 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-07
A traditional torchlit procession through an ancient town dating back almost 200 years has been cancelled due to safety fears.
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procession → date → fears
The historic event has been axed due to concerns over fires breaking out after weeks of dry weather.
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fires → ax → weather
Now instead of flaming torches residents are being encouraged to bring battery-powered lanterns and fairy lights.
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residents → flame → lanterns
The move has been taken by the Bonfire and Carnival Society in Uckfield, East Sussex – an ancient town which dates back to 1220.
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which → take → 1220
It has also cancelled the traditional fireworks display which kicks off the weekend of celebrations this weekend.
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which → cancel → celebrations
Organisers say the difficult decision was made after they were told the event would not be covered by their insurers.
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event → say → insurers
Events across the UK have been cancelled or curtailed after the Government Emergency announcement last month which warned of the increased risk of fires following hot weather.
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which → cancel → weather
The society said they had been reviewing the situation since the Government Emergency announcement on August 14 but also took advice from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
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they → say → Service
A traditional torchlit procession through an ancient town dating back almost 200 years has been cancelled due to safety fears.
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procession → date → fears
Pictured: Last year's procession
The historic event has been axed due to concerns over fires breaking out after weeks of dry weather
The statement said: 'The Government Emergency announcement is still current and as such our insurers have confirmed that our use of torches in the procession will not be insured.'
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use → picture → procession
The society added: 'Uckfield Bonfire & Carnival Society have made the decision to cancel the Firework Display on Friday night and will not be using the traditional torches in the procession on Saturday night to minimise the risk of harm to the town.'
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Society → add → town
Despite the changes, organisers stressed that the carnival itself would still go ahead.
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carnival → stress → changes
The society announced the decision in a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, September 1, following a meeting of its officers.
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society → announce → officers
In a message accompanying the statement, the society said: 'We ask people to respect our decision and remember that we are all volunteers trying to do the right thing.
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we → accompany → thing
Carnival is still on please come and support us all.
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Carnival → come → us
It added that organisers had 'a duty of care to follow the guidance and minimise the risk of starting fires even with the recent wetter weather'.
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organisers → add → weather
Uckfield Bonfire and Carnival Society said it hoped residents would continue to support what it described as one of the town's oldest traditions in its 199th year.
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it → say → year
'We hope that everyone will still support the Society and come out and see the fantastic costumes from Bonfire and Carnival Societies from across Sussex and uphold one of the town's oldest traditions in this its 199th year.
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everyone → hope → year
Instead of traditional torches, residents are being encouraged to 'bring out your battery-powered lanterns and fairy lights and help us light the town up'.
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us → encourage → town
Many of the online responses to the announcement were supportive, with fellow bonfire societies from across Sussex pledging to attend and back Uckfield's decision.
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societies → pledge → decision
In contrast to last year's procession residents are being encouraged to bring battery-powered lanterns and fairy lights
The move has been taken by the Bonfire and Carnival Society in Uckfield, East Sussex – an ancient town which dates back to 1220
Burgess Hill Bonfire Society wrote: 'Stepping back from a long-standing tradition is never easy, but prioritising the safety and wellbeing of the community is always the right call.
'
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prioritising → encourage → community
Burgess Hill Bonfire Society stands with you in full support of your decision and wishes you a successful night.'
Rotherfield & Mark Cross Bonfire Society said: 'We fully support your decision.
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We → stand → decision
We stand by you.
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We → stand → you
This is what Sussex bonfire is all about, putting the community first.
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bonfire → put → community
East Grinstead Community Bonfire added: 'We understand your decision, we will stand with our bonfire brothers and sisters, see you Saturday.'
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we → add → you
