Traditional pursuits in November

 

Traditional pursuits in November

In the Devonshire town of Ottery St Mary, November 4^th will see the annual custom of Tar Barrels. This tradition is normally observed on 5^th November except when that date falls on a Sunday, as it does this year. In that case, the event takes place on the day before.

It is an ancient tradition associated with the burning of witches and became connected with Guy Fawkes after the failed plot to blow up King James in the House of Lords in 1605. Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators had a ghastly trial and execution.

The objective is to race through the streets of the town carrying lit wooden tar barrels on their backs. Originally, they were rolled until someone decided it would be more fun to carry them. Ottery St Mary is the only town in UK to carry lighted tar barrels.

Participants are known as Barrel Rollers and to be eligible must have been born in the town or own a business there. The event starts in the afternoon with small barrels and the sizes increase until the last huge barrel, known as the Midnight Barrel is rolled through to the town square around midnight.

Guy Fawkes’ Night, now more usually called Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night started as a celebration of the survival of King James. Now, bonfires are built across the British Isles, from small ones in back gardens to huge bonfires at community events. Often a guy, an effigy of Guy Fawkes himself, or of a currently unpopular personality, is placed atop the fire to be burnt. Fireworks remind onlookers of the power of gunpowder, though most don’t consider the history behind the practice. Often Roman Catholics do not have a guy, since Guido Fawkes was a Catholic, but may wish to have a bonfire and fireworks.

Children may still make a guy and peddle it round the streets, begging for ‘a penny for the guy.’

It’s rather a horrible custom at base, really. Taken at its most harmless, it is a chance to watch a big bonfire and fireworks and enjoy some casual refreshments.

It is a nightmare for wild animals and domestic animals kept outside and can be equally terrifying for household pets. Animal charities dread November 5^th, knowing they will be dealing with animals that have been cruelly abused with fireworks. There’s nothing more beastly than callous humans.