By Jocelyn Care

Last month, the official handover of Lindfield’s ceremonial boat hook took place and marked the day of a new Harbour Master in the village. Will Blunden proudly handed over the role to David Riddle after holding the title for an outstanding 42 years. Will said: “I thought it was time to step aside and let someone new takeover.”

The Harbour Master role was instigated by Lindfield Bonfire Society in 1956. A fundraising initiative would then take place and whichever candidate gained the most votes and raised the highest amount of money would have been crowned the official Harbour Master. Typically, the Harbour Master is a celebratory role whose main duties are leading processions for Bonfire Night and also for Lindfield Village Day. William Mighall, the first incumbent, ran a local greengrocers on the High Street, used to keep the hook at the shop – becoming useful when he needed to hook objects (and children!) out of the pond.

Will Blunden, who is chair of Lindfield Parish Council and the King Edward Hall Management Committee, gained the role in 1978 when he was appointed by the Bonfire Society. Will explained: “Leading the early Village Day processions was very special, and the Bonfire Night processions used to be a good deal more dangerous than they are today. But, I have to say Bonfire Night celebrations have just got better and better with last year’s being an amazing event. It was a high to go out on.”

David Riddle has been a Life Member of Lindfield Bonfire Society since 2009, having moved to the area with his wife in 1986. David, who is a recently retired accountant, ‘welcomes any excuse to dress up’ and belongs to a number of living history groups portraying figures from Tudor, Regency and Victorian times. He has even commissioned a special naval commander uniform to be tailored for his new role. David is hoping to show off his new suit as he leads this year’s procession on 5th November.