Pole Up for Brockham Bonfire 2009
Brockham Bonfire Celebrations, 7th November 2009
The building of the annual Brockham Bonfire once again began at
the end of September. As Autumn starts to take its toll on the
trees this is the ideal opportunity for you to clear some of your
unwanted tree loppings. We will be making collections around the
village but please remember we cannot get to every house in the
village on the same day! Unfortunately we are NOT able to collect
building material, concrete fence posts, grass cuttings, the
rubbish from your garden shed and windfall apples! We will only be
accepting tree loppings from a very few local tree surgeons and not
contractors from beyond the village.
Are you new to the village and want to become involved in the
fun? Lots to do, new friends to make of all ages, you will find us
on Brockham Green every weekend so please do come along and join in
the fun - everyone is welcome. Just turn up. We also meet in the
Village Hall every Wednesday evening at 20.30.
If you and your family would like to join the front of the
Torchlight Procession in fancy dress costumes supplied by us,
please do give Doreen a call. Last year, despite the very wet
weather we were able to donate over £20,000 to worthwhile causes in
the local area. We hope to be able to raise even more this year and
with your support and dry weather anything is possible!
If you are planning a house party on November 7th it is
essential that you ask your friends; guests and relatives to arrive
at your homes by no later 17.30. If you are having guests please
start advising them of this now, they can of course use one of the
car parks after this time.
Brockham Lane, Kiln Lane, the Borough Bridge, Old School Lane,
Middle Street and Wheelers Lane will all close to all traffic at
17.30. This will mean that all the official road closures will come
into force at the same time. This year, the road across the Green
will again remain closed until at least 22.30.
Passes may be issued to RESIDENTS of Brockham who genuinely
cannot get home from work before the Road Closures come into effect
at 17.30hrs on Saturday 7th November 2009. They are not issued for
any other reason. These are STRICTLY for Residents, your guests are
asked to arrive before this time or use one of the many car
parks.
This year, where possible, passes will be e-mailed to you. To
request a pass, please send an e-mail to
brockhambonfirepasses@hotmail.co.uk
with BONFIRE PASS in the subject line stating:
Name of Resident
Make of Car
Vehicle Registration number
Entry point, i.e. Brockham Lane, Strood Green, Old School Lane,
Kiln Lane
Approximate time and Destination in Brockham
You will be sent a pass via e-mail which you must print and
sign. The pass will contain a unique code. If you print more than
one copy we will know from our records and you will be refused
entry and will not be eligible for a pass in the future. You MUST
have your pass with you on Bonfire Night. Passes are strictly
non-transferable.
Alternatively, if you have not got access to a computer, please
phone 07807 359 750. Please only phone regarding passes between
18.00 and 20.00hrs. You may have to leave a message as we are busy
in preparation for the bonfire. You can also collect a pass between
11.00 and 12.00 from the Bonfire Team on the Village Green on
Saturdays and Sundays. No passes will be issued after 3rd November.
Your pass can be collected from the Hair Salon on Brockham
Green.
Please note, there is strictly no access across the Village
Green or Borough Bridge. The Opening time of the road Closures is
subject to Police approval and may well be after 22.30hrs. No
telephone calls can be taken or e-mails answered regarding passes
after 3rd November 2009.
Does your family want to sponsor a firework? Your own personal
message will appear, on the bonfire web site www.brockhambonfire.com
and a limited number will be read out over the loudspeakers on the
night. It can be a very special present for someone. This year's
programme went to the printers at the end of September so
unfortunately we are not able to print any further messages in the
brochure but they can still appear on the website so to avoid
disappointment please call Doreen today on 01737 843041. We look
forward to you all joining us on the village green to join in the
building fun, for what we are sure will be yet another tremendous
Brockham Bonfire.
The Latest news from the bonfire organisers
As I write this article in early October we have just completed
the first full weekend of Bonfire Building. Despite the
unpredictable weather the building programme is on schedule and we
have had bonfire tractors in most parts of the Village. Our sincere
thanks to all residents who have provided us with the much needed
building material enabling us to once again to build a tremendous
bonfire.
Landowners and farmers around the Village have promised us their
fields again for car parks, our thanks again to them - as we begin
to wish for a period of dry weather.
The Annual Brockham Bonfire brochure will have gone to the
printers by the time you read this but you can still sponsor a
firework, as an individual or family, but please hurry, a great
opportunity for just £25.00. Please call Doreen Bates today
(01737 843 041). The names and messages will appear on the Bonfire
web site and a selected number will be announced on Bonfire Night.
Brochures will be on sale in the shops and pubs.
The Bonfire Night celebrations will follow the traditional
pattern, beginning with the torch light procession. The Procession
will start on the Village Green at 18.15hrs and head north up
Brockham Lane. Here it will about turn and head back over the
Village Green, pass into Wheelers Lane, Wellhouse Lane and Middle
Street before returning to the Green to light the Bonfire at
19.45hrs.
The car parks will all open by 16.30hrs. It is our
intention to encourage everyone into official car parks; this
prevents cars parking on roads around the village (and pays for the
fireworks) and should enable emergency service vehicles to access
all parts of the village, should they be required. As usual,
please ask your houseguests to park off the road (or in official
car parks) and to arrive before 17.00hrs. The Village Green
and Borough Bridge (Kiln Lane junction) will close at
17.30hrs. In the interest of safety BROCKHAM LANE AT
THE JUNCTION WITH THE A25 WILL CLOSE AT 17.30hrs AND REMAIN CLOSED
UNTIL at least 22.30hrs. Access to Old School Lane,
Wheelers Lane, Middle Street and Strood Green from Gadbrook
Crossroads and all the roads leading from them will be restricted
after 17.30hrs. No access to the Village Green by car will be
possible after 17.30hrs.
Kiln Lane will be one way with traffic flowing West to East from
17.30hrs until 22.30hrs. Naturally the Stewards will be as
helpful as is practicable, but dozens of car drivers ALL have
friends whose house they are trying to get to.
If you have recently moved to the village or have lived
here for years and feel able to assist in a big or small way -
shaking collecting tins, stewarding or selling brochures is a
fun and rewarding way of spending a few hours, please give Doreen
Bates a ring (01737 843 041).
Last year well over £20,000 was given to local societies,
charities and worthy causes. We have a job for you! Why
not offer your assistance to ensure that Brockham benefits from
Bonfire Night? Don't forget to check our website at www.brockhambonfire.com for all the latest
updates and information about the event. We would also be very
pleased to receive your comments and feedback.
Fingers crossed for a dry week and Bonfire Night. We do hope you
all enjoy the celebrations.
TIMETABLE OF EVENTS
14.00 Children's fancy dress -
Brockham Village Hall
16.30 Car parks open
17.30 Brockham Lane Closes to all
traffic and remains closed until 22.30
18.15 Procession leaves the
Village Green and heads North and then South
19.45 Lighting of the Bonfire
20.15 Fireworks Display
20.45 Pig Auction
21.15 Raffle Draw
22.30 approx. Brockham Lane and
the Village Green re-opens to traffic
Best
wishes Brockham Bonfire Boys and Girls