The Tar Barrel tradition is hundreds of years old. The exact origins are unknown but probably started after the gunpowder plot of 1605. Various alternative reasons suggested for burning barrels have included fumigation of cottages and as a warning of the approach of the Spanish armada.
The West Country has a history of torchlight processions and burning barrels and Ottery was only one of the many towns and villages following an annual tradition containing barrels which were rolled in the streets on November 5th each year. Somewhere along the line someone decided rolling was tame and carrying barrels on your shoulders was far more appealing and so the present tradition was born and now Ottery is the only town in the country carrying full sized lighted tar barrels through the streets.
The procession of tableaux is also an old West Country tradition and is still a popular part of the winter months when most weekends will see a procession of brightly lit tableaux in a great many Towns and villages.
November the 5th each year is the traditional day for the Tar Barrels and only changes when the 5th falls on a Sunday. The procession and fireworks are normally on the Saturday before the 5th of November.
Ottery Tar Barrels (5 Nov 2024) |
---|
The legend began that Ottery St Mary was once occupied by Pixies. They were forced into…
Beautiful Days started in 2003 and is an annual, independent weekend camping festival…
Beautiful Days is the hugely popular Levellers music and family festival which takes…
Our line-up is already beginning to take shape! More acts being announced soon...
We…
The Davinci Michelangelo Experience
Over 100+ Off-Broadway Performances
Running Time: 2…
‘Where Is Mrs Christie?’ starring Liz Grand
Running time: 95 minutes - including an…
Introducing the FOS Brothers
The force behind the FOS Brothers has always been Dave and…
Recreating the stirring sounds of their home town, the band mix violin, accordion and…
The Dinosaur TimeWarp - A Dinosaur Panto
Age guidance: Primarily aimed at ages 3-8 but…
'The closest you'll get to the real thing' with this high-energy tribute act.
Capturing and recreating the passion and sound of one of the biggest bands in the world.…
Tea with Mr Toad - an interactive experience for all of the family.
Toad, Badger, Ratty…
SOUL TRADERS
The Soul Traders story was begun by Den Hegarty in 1999 when he put a band…
The Snow Queen by Theatrix Arts
The Toy Maker is in his workshop, making toys for the…
The National Gallery of London is one of the world’s greatest art galleries.
It is full…