“Celebrations in Lewes were not planned or carried out annually, but were more random events that were more like riots,” according to Wikipedia’s reports on the early days of Lewes. No much has changed in 400 years, it’s still an extremely intense experience, appearing completely lawless. This year 80 people had to be treated by ambulance crews and seven ended up in hospital – but when you make the extraordinary effort to get there (Lewes don’t make it easy for outsiders, do they?) you know what you’re getting yourself into. It’s a credit to the nation that this recklessness still happens. Health and safety hasn’t always “gone mad”.

Want more photos? Check out Rob Orchard’s great set on Flickr.