Indeed! All these quirky and eccentric customs and traditions should be enjoyed and protected. We are a strange lot, but that’s what binds us. And what binds us makes us stronger. Who knew that chasing a cheese downhill could be so hilarious, or that dancing round a pole could be so delightful or watching grown men dressed in white dancing with sticks be so uplifting. Let’s keep all these things. Let’s not roll over like those who have erased the word ‘Christmas’ from our vocabulary. Let’s be different. Be more British!
The picture of men dressed in red coats and decorated straw hats,could be the Boggins of Haxey Hood, traditionally played on 6th January in Haxey, Nottinghamshire. The story is that Lady Mowbray, wife of the medieval landowner was out riding when her hat, or Hood blew off.
The peasant farmhands raced to be the first to retrieve it and return it to the Lady.
As always a lot of singing and drinking is involved. At 3pm the Fool is dragged to the mounting stone in the centre of the village, and a fire is lit under him
This is known as "smoking the Fool" while the game's rules are read out by the Chief Boggin.
(The guy with his back to us looks remarkably like him!)
"Oose agin oose, toon agin toon, if tha meets a man knock him doon but don't ot im!"
The idea is to 'sway' the Hood to the individual team's pub. So, no violence, basically it's a test of strength. And a very muddy one at that!
I'm sure many similar traditions are still supported in all parts of the country, they should be supported and not allowed to die out
Aye looks very ancient that. The iron age Celts worshipped Epona, the Goddess of fertillity. The horse is killed by the drinkers (one year ends) and then comes back to life and is given a pint (to encourage spring to come).
These ancient rites are extremely important to our culture and should be made more of.
Indeed! All these quirky and eccentric customs and traditions should be enjoyed and protected. We are a strange lot, but that’s what binds us. And what binds us makes us stronger. Who knew that chasing a cheese downhill could be so hilarious, or that dancing round a pole could be so delightful or watching grown men dressed in white dancing with sticks be so uplifting. Let’s keep all these things. Let’s not roll over like those who have erased the word ‘Christmas’ from our vocabulary. Let’s be different. Be more British!
Yes exactly. I think it is great these things are kept up by locals and not run by the council or the state, that is how it should be.
Splendid Fergus - ‘our history, our unique culture’ - must get up to Richmond some day.
Happy Christmas.
The picture of men dressed in red coats and decorated straw hats,could be the Boggins of Haxey Hood, traditionally played on 6th January in Haxey, Nottinghamshire. The story is that Lady Mowbray, wife of the medieval landowner was out riding when her hat, or Hood blew off.
The peasant farmhands raced to be the first to retrieve it and return it to the Lady.
As always a lot of singing and drinking is involved. At 3pm the Fool is dragged to the mounting stone in the centre of the village, and a fire is lit under him
This is known as "smoking the Fool" while the game's rules are read out by the Chief Boggin.
(The guy with his back to us looks remarkably like him!)
"Oose agin oose, toon agin toon, if tha meets a man knock him doon but don't ot im!"
The idea is to 'sway' the Hood to the individual team's pub. So, no violence, basically it's a test of strength. And a very muddy one at that!
I'm sure many similar traditions are still supported in all parts of the country, they should be supported and not allowed to die out
Enjoy your posts-thank you &
Merry Christmas 🙏🎄🥂
Thanks Fergus. Really enjoy your posts. Merry Christmas 🎄.
Aye looks very ancient that. The iron age Celts worshipped Epona, the Goddess of fertillity. The horse is killed by the drinkers (one year ends) and then comes back to life and is given a pint (to encourage spring to come).
These ancient rites are extremely important to our culture and should be made more of.