Britons burn effigy of Liz Truss on Bonfire Night as thousands carry torches

Britons have burned an effigy of Liz Truss on Bonfire Night as thousands in Lewes carried torches in the rain to mark the failed 1605 plot to blow up parliament.

The streets in East Sussex – dubbed the bonfire capital of the world – were turned into a riot of colour and noise as rival bonfire societies paraded through.

The autumn festival has special meaning in the county town where bonfire societies commemorate a two-year martyrdom known as the Marian Persecutions.

Bloody Marry infamously ordered the burning of 288 Protestants and 17 were killed in Lewes between 1555 and 1557.

In an effort to remember their demise, residents of the small town dress-up as Protestant martyrs in black robes and bear crucifixes while carrying blazing torches through the streets.

Lewes Bonfire also evolved from a series of riots that marked the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where a group of English Catholics, including the now infamous Guy Fawkes, were foiled in their plot to blow up the House of Lords. 

From 1850 it became the more formalised processions seen today. 

Lewes is famed for its topical and sometimes controversial bonfire night effigies and usually attracts thousands if not tens of thousands of revellers.

Last year, up to 30,000 people attended the event, which had a Covid theme. Effigies of Dominic Cummings, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and a masked Guy Fawkes went up in flames. 

Britons have burned an effigy of Liz Truss on Bonfire Night as thousands in Lewes carried torches in the rain to mark the failed 1605 plot to blow up parliament

Thousands of torch-carrying Britons have braved the rain on Bonfire Night to mark the failed 1605 plot to blow up parliament

The streets of Lewes in East Sussex – dubbed the bonfire capital of the world – were turned into a riot of colour and noise as rival bonfire societies paraded through

The autumn festival has special meaning in the county town where bonfire societies commemorate a two-year martyrdom known as the Marian Persecutions

An effigy depicting British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former British Prime Minister Liz Truss ahead of it being paraded through the town during the annual Bonfire Night festivities in Lewes

Under the reign of Edward VI, Mary Tudor fell under pressure to abandon her Catholic views, but was able to re-enforce them when she ascended to the throne in 1553

The Queen infamously ordered the burning of 288 Protestants in turn, 17 of whom were killed in Lewes

In an effort to remember their demise, residents of the small town dress-up as Protestant martyrs in black robes and bear crucifixes while carrying blazing torches through the streets

Though most opt for Pagan dress, other costumes can be seen at the festival which also features a variety of effigies to be burned

Pirates, priests and Romans are among the guises of choice at this evening’s events where scores of local residents have braved the wet weather to catch a glance at some of the most eye-catching outfits

Participants parade through the town during the annual Bonfire Night festivities in Lewes

Lewes is famed for its topical and sometimes controversial bonfire night effigies and usually attracts thousands if not tens of thousands of revellers

Fireworks explode near to Battersea Power Station in London on Guy Fawkes Night

Last year, up to 30,000 people attended the event, which had a Covid theme. Effigies of Dominic Cummings, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock and a masked Guy Fawkes went up in flames

Six bonfire societies burn effigies every year in the town’s famed bonfire display but their identities are usually kept a secret until the night

Given the time it takes to build them, the figures are usually media villains in the spotlight in the weeks leading up to the event

Lewes’s controversial event found itself in hot water in 2016 when revellers who ‘blacked up’ as Zulu warriors agreed to stop after a raft of complaints

People taking part in the Edenbridge Bonfire Society parade in Edenbridge, Kent 

Campaign group ‘Bonfire Against Racism’ called it a ‘racist act’ and asked the Borough Bonfire Society to ‘stop painting faces black’

Tonight six bonfire societies and 3000 people are taking part in the torch-lit processions through the narrow streets of Lewes for the traditional Bonfire night festivities. Pictured: A tribute to Her Majesty

Last year, up to 30,000 people attended the event, which had a Covid theme

Lewes Bonfire evolved from a series of riots that marked the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, where a group of English Catholics, including the now infamous Guy Fawkes, were foiled in their plot to blow up the House of Lords

From 1850 it became the more formalised processions seen today

Members of various bonfire societies take part in the torch lit procession through the streets of Edenbridge, south of London

Fireworks explode near to Battersea Power Station in London on Guy Fawkes Night

Bonfire night events could be dampened down tonight as forecasters predicted that blustery showers sweeping across the country today will run into the evening.

A weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for heavy rain affecting parts of the south east coming into force tomorrow, with flooding ‘likely’.

It comes as fireworks and bonfire events are setting up across the country for a weekend of celebrations on the anniversary of Guy Fawkes’ failed lot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. 

Forecaster Dan Stroud described the weather today as ‘grim’, particularly in the south and east, but predicted things picking up through the day in other parts of the UK.

‘Conditions are slowly improving from the north and west’, he said, predicting largely dry conditions across Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales by the evening.

But, he said, it is a ‘different story across south and east’ which are set to experience ‘patchy rain and drizzly outbreaks’ into the evening as rain bands move over the regions.

Tomorrow looks even more miserable for these parts of the country, with a yellow weather warning coming into force over parts of Sussex and Kent.

He said the rain will ‘pep up and regalvanise across south and east tomorrow morning, with heavy outbreaks developing across those areas’.

He predicted heavy rain of two or more inches and a ‘generally unsettled’ outlook. 

Remember, remember… to wear your wellies: Celebrations for Guy Fawkes night could be dampened across parts of the UK as rain is expected

A firework display at Saltburn cricket ground yesterday. Some savvy Brits opted to move their Bonfire night celebrations to a clearer day after seeing the forecast

Don’t forget your brolly: A weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for heavy rain and strong winds affecting parts of the south east coming into force tomorrow

Met Office forecaster Dan Stroud predicted heavy rain of two or more inches and a ‘generally unsettled’ outlook. A runner pictured today on soggy Wimbledon Common in south west London

Even dogs had to wear waterproofs as the rain tipped down in south west London this morning

Commuters at Reading station also needed umbrellas as the heavens opened in the Berkshire town

Earlier this morning a beautiful cerise sunrise appeared over London – reminding early risers of the old adage ‘red sky in the morning, shepherds warning’

The sun made an appearance through the clouds over London at sunrise this morning

‘Further bands of showers are expected to move through early next week,’ he said. 

‘What is of concern on Monday night into Tuesday is the broad band of severe coastal gales, running across England and Wales,’ he said, largely coming in over night. 

He advised the public to make sure garden furniture is well-secured as winds hit and to allow themselves extra time for commutes.

The Environment Agency also has 11 flood warnings in place across the UK today. 

Rain across western areas of England look set to move east throughout the day, according to the forecaster.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning telling people to expect further rain, some of which will be heavy, for southern and eastern England tonight and tomorrow.

The yellow weather warning means that ‘flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely’, according to the Met Office.

They also warned that bus and train services will probably be affected, with journey times taking longer.

Car journeys are also expected to take longer due to spray and flooding on roads.

The Met Office also flagged that they expect mist and fog patches to form over night in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. 

While Scotland is looking increasingly dry today, temperatures are looking set to plummet with the coldest conditions expected there this week.

Guy Fawkes Night celebrations could be disrupted in the south and east of England, with many opting to set off fireworks and light fires on a clearer night.

Some savvy Brits opted to move their bonfire night celebrations to a clearer day after seeing the forecast for November 5.

Today, walkers hoping to enjoy their Saturday mornings outdoors had to wrap up and brace with their brollies as the rain poured in Wimbledon, south London this morning. 

Runners were pictured braving the damp conditions as they got out and about in their waterproofs on Wimbledon Common. 

Commuters at Reading station also needed umbrellas as the heavens opened in the Berkshire town. 

Earlier this morning a beautiful cerise sunrise appeared over London – reminding early risers of the old adage ‘red sky in the morning, shepherds warning’.

The Met Office also warned of rain today in Teesside, describing today’s weather in the region as Breezy with the rain, but later the wind eases. Maximum temperature 12 °C.’

While the day there is starting off as ‘cloudy, with outbreaks of rain soon arriving, these probably heavy at times, ‘the weather will become dry later this afternoon, with perhaps some sunshine breaking through by sunset, most likely across Northumberland.

The four-day forecast for the UK looks as follows: 

Sunday: Highs of 15°C with lows 2°C in Scotland. The Met Office predicts rain, some heavy, in southern and eastern England, clear spells and patchy dense fog across central areas. In the west it expects breezy conditions with heavy showers and frost in the northeast.

Monday: Highs 16°C and lows of 2°C in Scotland. Rain in the south east is expected to clearearly on before another band moves in.

Tuesday: Highs 16°C and low 3°C in Scotland. Conditions expected to remain unsettled throughout.

Wednesday: Highs of 16°C and lows of 1°C in Scotland. Largely unsettled but Wednesday looks set to be the driest day, although winds look to pick up.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning telling people to expect further rain, some of which will be heavy, for southern and eastern England tonight and tomorrow

Runners were pictured braving the damp conditions as they got out and about in their waterproofs on Wimbledon Common

A dog walker braves the muddy conditions in her trainers on Wimbledon Common earlier today

Walkers hoping to enjoy their Saturday mornings outdoors had to wrap up and brace with their brollies as the rain poured on Wimbledon Common

Who are the past celebrity victims of the Edenbridge Bonfire Society?

 Liz Truss has been unveiled as the celebrity victim of this year’s Edenbridge Bonfire Society event.

Hundreds of people cram into the narrow streets of the Kent town for the world-famous fireworks event, as one of the least popular public figures of the past 12 months meets a fiery end.

Here are some highlights of previous years.

Barry Stableford of the Edenbridge Bonfire Society in Kent puts the final touches to their celebrity guy, racing tipster John McCririck and former Tory minister Edwina Currie, in 2006

In 2007, the Edenbridge Bonfire Society nominated the wife of former PM and top Kings Counsel Cherie Blair as their celebrity guy

In 2009, the glamour model Jordan who is primarily known as Katie Price was burned on the pyre by Edenbridge Bonfire Society

In 2010, the Edenbridge Bonfire Society cruelly mocked former England striker Wayne Rooney for his looks, comparing him to Shrek

In 2011, the then Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli was nominated after it emerged he had lit fireworks inside his house

In 2012, cycling legend Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace featured in Elmbridge, whose effigy was sporting a Jim’ll Fix It badge 

In 2013, former Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins appeared on the bonfire as a result of her strong opinions

In 2014, the then President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso was put on the Elmbridge pyre

In 2015, the Edenbridge Bonfire Society burned an effigy of the then FIFA president Sepp Blatter who was embroiled in misconduct allegations and later forced from office

In 2016, the incoming president of the US Donald Trump was burnt to a crisp along with the head of defeated democratic party hopeful Hillary Clinton

In 2017, Harvey Weinstein was set alight after his fall from grace and the rise of the Me Too movement 

In 2018, Boris Johnson was burned along with his promise for £350m a week which was put on the side of his Brexit campaign bus two years earlier

In 2019, Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow was set alight while carrying the heads of the then leaders of the Tory and Labour parties Boris Johnson, left, and Jeremy Corbyn, right

In 2022, Liz Truss was nominated by the Edenbridge Bonfire Society to join fellow ex-PMs Boris Johnson and Tony Blair on the pyre