Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

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om15
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Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#1 Post by om15 » Sat Jul 09, 2016 1:19 pm

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

Ottery St. Mary is internationally renowned for its Tar Barrels, an old custom said to have originated in the 17th century, and which is held on November 5th each year. Each of Ottery's central public houses sponsors a single barrel. In the weeks prior to the day of the event, November 5th, the barrels are soaked with tar. The barrels are lit outside each of the pubs in turn and once the flames begin to pour out, they are hoisted up onto local people's backs and shoulders. The streets and alleys around the pubs are packed with people, all eager to feel the lick of the barrels flame. Seventeen Barrels all in all are lit over the course of the evening. In the afternoon and early evening there are women's and boy's barrels, but as the evening progresses the barrels get larger and by midnight they weigh at least 30 kilos. A great sense of camaraderie exists between the 'Barrel Rollers', despite the fact that they tussle constantly for supremacy of the barrel. In most cases, generations of the same family carry the barrels and take great pride in doing so. It perpetuates Ottery St Mary's great sense of tradition, of time and of history. Opinion differs as to the origin of this festival of fire, but the most widely accepted version is that it began as a pagan ritual that cleanses the streets of evil spirits. It is an incredible night to remember - one of the biggest bonfires in the South West is ignited on the banks of the River Otter and behind it are the flashing neon's of the annual fun fair.

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Re: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#2 Post by om15 » Sat Jul 09, 2016 1:20 pm

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Re: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#3 Post by om15 » Sat Jul 09, 2016 1:21 pm

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Re: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#4 Post by om15 » Sat Jul 09, 2016 1:30 pm

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Lived there for 12 very happy years and knew some of the people shown here, rather a special place, also Pixie day was another high light of the year, (pixies come from Ottery), well worth a visit, if only to see that EU rules, Health and Safety and all the rest have not intruded into the traditions in the South West.

Sisemen

Re: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#5 Post by Sisemen » Sat Jul 09, 2016 2:09 pm

Nucking futs!

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Re: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#6 Post by Alisoncc » Sun Jul 10, 2016 1:38 am

Like the way they do it on November the fifth. Wonder if the date was chosen deliberately. "Remember, remember the fifth of November. Gunpowder treason and plot".
Rev Mother Bene Gesserit.

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Re: Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

#7 Post by OFSO » Wed Aug 03, 2016 7:21 pm

There are similar "fire festivals" in Spain - sadly H & S are taking over. My own favourite (never miss it) is the Festival de Trobadors in Castelló d'Empurias, Province Girona, second weekend in September. Always used to be one or more ambulances parked outside the square for the 'Sopar' (Supper = Dinner) when 450 of us sat down to dine. These days the fire arrows shot from end to end over the tables, the free-flying vultures, the riding of crazed horses at full charge between the tables full of diners, are no more. Buggah !

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