Sunday 9 September 2007

Abbots Bromley Horn Dance

Monday 10th September



Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire

Suggested aural accompaniment, Euros Childs new record, "The Miracle".

"This could be ‘the oldest surviving ceremony in Britain’, according to Charles Kightly... The ceremony takes place... on Wakes Monday, the old village feast day... After a blessing by the vicar in St Nicholas’s Church... The six Deer Men, a Man-Woman... a Hobby Horse with snapping jaws, a Bowman... and a Fool are accompanied by a boy with a triangle and a melodeon player... Over and over again a simple dance is performed around the parish - a perambulation of about ten miles."

  • From 'Abbots Bromley Horn Dance', p.3-4 of 'England in Particular'

  • Abbots Bromley site - tells you about the five village pubs

  • And for more brilliant (and bonkers) stuff happening this month...
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