So many delightful things to see & do in the Cotswolds!
Boxing Day in Broadway – full of atmosphere, beautiful blue skies, and everyone full of festive spirit and good humour – many came on coaches from nearby cities to see the traditional Boxing Day Meet of Hounds but some were fortunate to see the local Morris Dancers – the troupe comprised dancers from Pebworth, Bretforton, Peopleton & Evesham. Even Nigel Smith, the local publican from The Fleece Inn at Bretforton was spotted performing and brandishing his stick!! The troupe then moved from Broadway High Street to The Fleece and a jolly time was had locally by all. Morris Dancers often perform on public holidays throughout the area and the charity ‘cap’ is passed around for contributions to be made which on this occasion was for our local Air Ambulance. Do come and enjoy these local festivities – the next one will be New Year and then of course blessing the apple trees – Wassailing which tends to take place around 17th January – this custom is prevalent in cider-producing areas eg Gloucestershire and Herefordshire and refers to a traditional ceremony that involves singing and drinking the health of trees in the hopes that they might better thrive. The purpose of wassailing is to awaken the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the Autumn!
Watch the Morris Dancing here:
