| Where: | Painswick, Gloucestershire at St.Mary's Church |
| When: | Sunday on or 1st after 19th September |
| Time: | 3pm |
“Clypping” is derived from an Old English term meaning encirclement, and on this day the parishioners of St. Mary’s at Painwick join hands around the church exterior and dance around it singing their Clipping Hymn. It’s the patronal festival as the church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her nativity is celebrated at this time of year. Many churches formerly celebrated in a similar way but their customs died out; at Painswick it was revived in Victorian times but no-one knows when it first began. Clypping in this sense has nothing to do with clipping trees, though sometimes confusion has arisen because Painswick churchyard has a fine group of 99 trimmed yew trees. Puppy Dog Pie is served before the service but luckily these days the puppies are made of beef- there is a surely apocryphal tale about the local innkeeper serving up his dog after running out of food for travellers. The service takes place completely outdoors beginning with a procession of the celebrants around the churchyard accompanied by the Salvation Army Band, crosses and banners. Well-known hymns are sung in addition to the special Clypping Hymn; at this point the congregation join hands and dance back and forward towards the building in a motion described to me as “rather like the hokey-cokey”. The guest Preacher receives a basket of 2 Clypping Buns and after the service children receive a Bun and a coin in the church.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Sunday 21st September.
The Fete and Apple Day are now incorporated into an all-day celebration called Painswick Feast – arrive early if you want to sample Puppy Dog Pie (it had all gone by around 1.30 when we went – we found ourselves eyeing up a nearby Jack Russell….). The service lasts around an hour – all are welcome and the atmosphere is friendly and informal.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/painswickfeast.org/?locale=en_GB#
Click here for the church website :http://stmaryspainswick.org.uk/
Click here for the Feast page: http://www.painswickfeast.org
Hi
I wonder if there’s anybody out there who can tell me how to make a Puppy Dog Pie. I saw it on TV on one of the Hairy Bikers program, but can I find the recipe, can I heck.
Thanks in advance.
Allan
Did you ever get the receipt for puppy dog pie if you did would you e-mail it please anyway let me know one way or the other thanks eddie
Sadly I never got the ancient recipe….it’s probably a secret shared only by the churchwardens at Painswick. I expect it starts something like “First catch your dogge…”
Averil
I think maybe ‘puppy dog pie’ originates from Celtic/Welsh – pobi da, meaning well-baked. The tales of dogs being cooked are certainly apocryphal.
Hi Hilary,
That seems likely – dog-eating has never been popular in English history and I guess it’s not so far from the border with Wales at Painswick! I believe that the modern pies, like the Hallaton Hare Pie, contain beef.
Best wishes,
Averil
just seen puppy dog pie.
did not give the recipe but he appeared to use cubed braising steak, the veg on the table were leeks, carrots, celery, potatoes ( just a good selection) the landlord also included a glass of beer and a glass of stout.
A lovely day for it yesterday, and the puppy dog pies tasting as fantastic as the freshly-pressed apple juice. Looking forward to next year already.
Yes it’s a good day out (‘specially when the sun shines!)
Hello from Calif, USA. My husband and I are planning a trip to the UK and want to go next year which includes going to Painswick Feast & Puppy Dog Pie festival. Would you recommend a place to stay?
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for your message- apologies, but I don’t have any information about accommodation. Maybe https://www.cotswolds.com/plan-your-trip/towns-and-villages/painswick might be a good place to look- there are lots of hotels and guest houses around the area but I haven’t any local knowledge. Hope you find somewhere great!
Best wishes,
Averil