Urinating PM effigy torched at bonfire festival

Urinating PM effigy torched at bonfire festival

November 11, 2019 Off By WhoThatCelebsRS
Image copyright Reuters
Image caption An effigy of Boris Johnson urinating on newspapers is set to be burned during the Lewes bonfire celebrations

An effigy of Boris Johnson urinating on newspapers is set to be torched at this year’s annual Lewes Bonfire Night parade.

The event is organised by seven bonfire societies, many of which date to the 19th Century.

In previous years at least 60,000 people have attended.

Sussex Police had urged people to “stay local” this year but Lewes Borough Bonfire Society estimated about 30,000 would turn out.

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Media captionLewes Bonfire: Thousands attend parade
Image copyright REUTERS/Toby Melville
Image caption Lewis Bonfire Society estimated about 30,000 would attend this year’s event
Image copyright Gareth Fuller/PA
Image caption The event is organised by seven bonfire societies
Image copyright Getty Images/Peter Summers
Image caption Burning torches have been held by those taking part in the parade

Commercial Square, Cliffe, Lewes Borough, South Street, Southover and Waterloo societies have been taking part in this year’s event.

Nevill Juvenile Bonfire Society is the only Lewes society not to hold its celebrations on 5 November – instead opting for 16 November this year.

Image copyright Gareth Fuller/PA
Image caption Costumes have included smugglers, war veterans and Vikings

Each society chooses an effigy to burn, typically a celebrity or politician.

Nigel Farage was the first to be officially unveiled this year, and he was later joined by Neptune the Roman God of the sea.

Image copyright REUTERS/Toby Melville
Image caption Neptune, the Roman God of the sea, was one of the effigies

Other effigies included a depiction of a protest against the ending of free TV licences for the over 75s, and a Brexit rollercoaster featuring the prime minister and Jacob Rees-Mogg lounging in the carriages.

Participants also carry burning barrels and crosses. These hark back to the 17 Protestant martyrs who were burnt in Lewes during the reign of Mary I.

Image copyright Getty/Peter Summers
Image caption A Brexit rollercoaster was one of the effigies
Image copyright Getty Images/Peter Summers
Image caption A depiction of a protest against the end to free TV licenses for all over 75s
Image copyright Peter Summers/Getty Images
Image caption In previous years at least 60,000 people have turned out for the celebrations

Pope effigies are also common and are meant to represent Pope Paul V who led the Catholic Church at the time the martyrs were burnt.

Costumes worn by revellers include smugglers, war veterans and Vikings.

Onlooker Alex Flowers said of the event on Twitter there was “nothing like it”.

Roads around the town were closed off hours before the start of the event and local train services have been suspended.

Image copyright Peter Summers/Getty Images
Image caption Sussex Police had urged people to “stay local” for this year’s Bonfire Night celebrations
Image copyright BEN STANSALL/Getty Images
Image caption Fires have been lit around the town
Image copyright REUTERS/Toby Melville
Image caption An effigy of Guy Fawkes has been paraded through the streets
Image copyright BEN STANSALL/Getty Images
Image caption Many of the societies involved in organising the event date to the 19th Century

All images copyrighted

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