With less than a month to go until the Cranleigh Bonfire, there is an important update to the procession route and timings for the event this year.

Unlike in previous years, the Cranleigh Bonfire procession will start this year from outside Glebelands School in Parsonage Road.

Those joining the start of the procession will assemble from 5.45pm, with the torch-lit procession starting at 6pm.

There will be delays to traffic in Parsonage Road and the High Street during the procession.

Crowds can then join the torch-lit procession in Stocklund Square at 6.10pm.

At 6.30pm, the Bonfire Prayer is read to the crowd and the winning guy is placed on top of the bonfire, before the bonfire is set ablaze.

Torch bearers must pass their torches to the bonfire marshals to add to the fire, rather the throwing them from the crowd.

The firework display, set to music and provided by Star Fireworks, starts at 7pm.

Benson’s Fun Fair starts at 1pm and continues on The Common until 10pm.

Earlier on the day on Saturday 5th November 2022, torches will be sold outside Co-op and in Stocklund Square.

You can also purchase your torches from the procession start point in Parsonage Road from 5.30pm.

The Make-a-Guy competition is judged in Stocklund Square at 3pm, sponsored by Burns & Webber.

The winning guy will be carried in the torch-lit procession and placed on top of the bonfire, with other entries placed around the fire.

Saturday 5th November is also the day of the next edition of Cranleigh’s Surrey Hills Artisan Market, so there is plenty to see and do in the High Street all day.

We hope you have a safe and fun bonfire night.

Update:

Philip Loring, Chairman of the Cranleigh Lions Bonfire Committee, said:

I would like to clarify that the decision to change the procession route this year has not been taken lightly. It has been made following a review of crowd safety.

The increased traffic and sadly some drivers who don’t believe that road closures and diversions apply to them, have put the Lions, volunteers and the public at significant risk. There were incidents last year that we cannot allow to be repeated.

In any event that we run, the safety of the public has to be our primary consideration. I am sorry if people are disappointed and I quite understand.

The organising team will review the effect of these changes after the event and will make their recommendations for any further changes in 2023.