The Battel Bonfire Boyes is the oldest Bonfire Society in the world being founded in 1646 when In 1646, St Mary’s Church allocated 2 shillings and 6 pence in funds for gunpowder treason rejoicing. Some of the gunpowder used in the attempt to blow up The houses of Parliament may well have been produced at the nearby Powdermill which is also one of the oldest in the country. The Bonfire celebration was held on The Green in front of The Abbey for many years but was moved to the site of the 1066 battlefield for safety reasons due to the large crowds attending in 1997. A token fire and some fireworks are let off to preserve the tradition.