Welcome to this our 70th Anniversary of the ‘Ripley Bonfire Association’
and to this year’s annual Celebrations on Saturday 25th October 2025.
Whilst, the Annual Bonfire Celebrations have been part of this village’s
life for many years (it was probably 25 years ago in this programme), that
my farther – Ron Hill wrote of his ‘Memories of the beginning of Ripley
Village Bonfire’ as a child, post First World War. It was not until 1955
when the present Bonfire Association was formed by a group of likeminded
elders of the village.
The Associations remit back in 1955 was to put on an event for the enjoyment
of the village. Should there be any excess of funds then this would
be distributed to ‘Ripley Over 60s Club’. This is still the case today, although
through the popularity of the event over the years, we are now
able to also give donations to other charitable causes such as: Woking
Hospice, Surrey Air Ambulance, Surrey Blood Runners, Surrey Search
Volunteers as well as other village organisations.
The current Associations Committee is made up of a small group of volunteers,
who with other community volunteers (not just on the night, but
also on the build up to the night) work tirelessly to put on what has now
become the ‘Legendary Ripley Bonfire’.
Last year, the weather was good to us (unlike previous years) and we were
not only able to re-coup some losses from previous years, but were able to
give £8,460 to charitable causes, as I previously mentioned above.
Let’s hope this year, the weather is kind to us. We can cope with the cold;
we just need it dry. It is the rain that affects us the most, especially if it
is raining at 5pm and those with all good intentions of supporting the
event, look outside the window, see a bit of rain and decide to stay indoors
for the night.
So, ‘Come Rain or Shine’ I look forward to seeing you all this year and with
your kind donations, let’s make sure we can put on another fantastic community
event and support those charitable causes, with much needed
funds.
Steve Hill
RBA Chairman & Safety Officer
3rd September 1943 to 27th April 2025
As the current Association’s Chairman, I am sure I also have the support of our previous and long-standing Chairman – Vernon Wood, in giving thanks for the life of Margaret Field, who sadly passed away earlier this year. She was a wonderful lady who loved Ripley and was passionate about Ripley Bonfire and its associated celebrations.
Margaret served and assisted the Association for many years: from those early days in the 60s when she was involved with the Public Meeting at the Methodist Church and subsequent fund raising, which ensured the future of our village Bonfire Celebrations for future generations to come. Right up to last year, when whilst she could not participate in the street collection, due to her health, she was there at the end of the evening, collecting in the buckets from an army of collectors.
They say that behind every good man there is a good woman. Well Margaret, as a good woman, certainly had a good man in Graham (Flapper) who again we have sadly lost. Both will be remembered for their tireless street collecting on the night and in a variety of fancy dress costumes over the years.
REMEMBER: Enjoy the evening and please ‘Stay Safe’. When you are looking up into that dark night sky at the fantastic Firework Display, just peak past those fireworks and look at the stars remembering those that we have loved and lost. I am sure they will be looking down on you.
Steve Hill