| Where: | Beeston, Nottinghamshire at various pubs (see link for full schedule) |
| When: | Saturday near Plough Monday |
| Time: | Evening from 8 pm approx |
Plough Monday was traditionally the day upon which agricultural workers resumed their labours following the high jinks of the Christmas season, and it was marked by celebrations of its own including participants parading the tools of their trade through local settlements or performing plays and requesting rewards for doing so ( a bit like trick or treat, the implicit threat being that if you were mean the team might plough up your garden!). The East Midlands is the area in which these festivities are most enthusiastically celebrated with a number of current revivals which included one at the castle in Nottingham which took place on a weekend near to Plough Monday. This example was particularly good for young families as the majority of other performances are based in pubs and many are performed in the evenings (see separate articles for individual events). The plays continued to be performed by the Foresters until the onset of Covid but in a more conventional evening pub setting – see Helpful Hints- and their traditional play featured a hero/combat scenario with characters such as the Doctor, Fool and Recruiting Sergeant and some very hirsute ladies…Fellow dancers Greenstep Clog showed off their steps before & after the plays at the Castle – their clogs really rattled on the wooden floor!
Helpful Hints
Not long ago, performances by the Foresters moved form Nottingham to Beeston. In 2020 it was on Saturday 4th January starting at the Hop Pole- this was the last time it happened as far as I know so I conclude it has currently lapsed.
Check their website for full schedule.
Plough Monday is the Monday following January 6th/Twelfth Night and the Nottingham Castle performances were on a weekend near this date. The event took a break in 2015 as the Council were short of cash and no dates were planned since so I conclude that, for now at least, the Castle custom has lapsed.
For the Foresters website click here : http://www.chezfred.org.uk/for/
For Greenwood Clog click here : http://www.chezfred.org.uk/gwd/
Hi in 2016 they are in and around Beeston, just west of the city on Friday 15th times approx.
8.20pm- The Hop Pole
8.40pm- Commercial Inn
9.00pm- Crown Inn
9.40pm- Starr Inn
10.00pm- White Lion and Folk Club
Thanks for that Ross – have added the info to the article which can be further tweaked later. It’s a pity about the Castle performances not taking place as they were good for kids but pleased to hear the play still goes on!