Founded in 1853 The Cliffe Bonfire Society has always maintained independence form the other Lewes societies which commemorate the burning of the Protestant Martyrs in 1555-57. The original anti Catholic fervour is now purely symbolic but still controversial. At the firesite the Society’s ‘Bishop’ who, standing on a raised platform, lambasts the crowd with an anti-catholic and patriotic tirade while being subjected to fireworks thrown at him by the society members. Elaborate tableau, often satirical of current politicians or other prominent people, are blown up as part of the display.