| Where: | Avening, Gloucestershire at the Church of the Holy Cross & Village Hall |
| When: | Sunday nearest 14th September (every other year) |
| Time: | Church service 10 am with Procession 11.30 and entertainments to follow |
Way back in the eleventh century, a boars head feast was held to celebrate the completion of the Church of the Holy Cross at Avening in Gloucestershire. The tradition behind the building of the church is that Queen Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror, had Brittric the Lord of Gloucester imprisoned in revenge for his rejection of her advances years earlier; he died during his incarceration. When Brittric turned her down, Matilda was the unmarried daughter of the Count of Flanders; after her husband took the English throne, she was in a position to wield her authority over the Lord of Gloucester. To salve her guilty conscience for the persecution, Matilda funded the construction and the feast that followed. The celebration of the anniversary used to take the form of the local hostelries serving brawn sandwiches with free beer (an understandably popular idea for visitors and locals alike)which evolved post-Second World War into an evening banquet. Today the event is commemorated by Pig Face Day when the villagers attend a special service at the church, with birthday cake, followed by entertainments and a pork-based snack at the Village Hall (the more modern version of the brawn sandwich is the pulled pork bap! A vegetarian alternative is also available). A costumed procession makes its way from church, with the pigs head carried on a platter down the hill to the Village Hall (and yes it is indeed a real pig’s head). Medieval dress is worn for the event and there are entertainments to follow including drama and music.
Helpful Hints
In spite of the name, there are no prizes for gurning! Medieval dress is encouraged, but optional.The villagers were very friendly and welcoming when we visited, and the children put on a charming and amusing play featuring Queen Matilda.
It is usually held every other year (previously on even-numbered years only) and until 2023 it last took place in 2018 (after a brief lapse following 2014). In 2023 it was on Sunday 17th September with the Church service at 10 am followed by entertainments at the Memorial Hall. Pork & apple sauce baps were on sale afterwards. Next date is yet to be announced but likely to be Sunday September 14th 2025 if they stick to the every-other-year rule (I shall be checking!).
Some website listings suggest that it is held every year but this is NOT the case.
Click here for the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aveningchurch
and here for an account of 2018 with some photos: https://avening-pc.gov.uk/index_htm_files/2018%2010.pdf
