Bonfires - how can I make a successful one?

[Pennies]

My gardeners have left a HUGE pile of leaves, holly and laurel pruning which is slowly composting.

I've tried to burn it but whilst the holly (leaves) goes up immediately the rest won't light.

Any tips on how to get rid of it? Ideally I want to burn the lot but I accept that if it's too new or too soggy (certainly the case with the leaves) then I'm unlikely to get a good fire going.