| Where: | Leon Recreation Ground, Fenny Stratford (just South of Queensway) |
| When: | 11th November (or Saturday 10th if 11th is a Sunday) |
| Time: | 12 noon, 2 pm & 4pm |
The Fenny Poppers are six tankard-shaped miniature cannon which are fired every November 11th in memory of Dr Thomas Willis who died on this date; he was the grandfather of Browne Willis who built St Martin’s Church in Fenny Stratford and started the custom in the mid eighteenth century. The location of the event has varied over time and was moved to the local park in recent years where there is plenty of room.A large brazier heats the long poker which is touched to gunpowder on each of the Poppers in turn – traditionally the first is lit by the incumbent of St Martin’s Church and I was lucky enough to be invited to light one myself (Number 6 -and you get a certificate which is now in my file of treasured possessions!). The ceremony lasts just a few minutes and is exceedingly loud!!
Helpful Hints
The local summer festival is named after the Fenny Poppers and takes place in August – though one of the Poppers is fired at the festival, don’t confuse this with the annual November 11th tradition.
When the 11th falls on a Sunday, the Poppers are fired on Saturday 10th instead. This will happen in 2025 then won’t recur for a number of years.
Leon Recreation Ground is behind rows of houses – a signed footpath leads south from Queensway where there are some parking bays (you can park for up to an hour here and there are other parking options nearby). It can be muddy underfoot. Be prepared for some very loud bangs! The organisers are friendly and welcoming and give out leaflets about the custom to visitors.
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/512902522184300
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The Firing of the Fenny Poppers for 2012 will be on Saturday 10th November.
“Anybody who follows the firing of the Fenny Poppers will know that they are always fired on St. Martins Day November the 11th.
However when this date falls on a Sunday the practise reverts back to the Saturday. This year 2012 this date happens to be a Sunday therefore the Poppers will now be fired on Saturday the 10th November at the usual time of 12 noon, 2.00pm and 4.00pm in the Leon recreation ground.”
Thanks Paul,
For drawing my attention to the dating for years when the 11th is a Sunday – I was previously unaware of this and have amended my article accordingly. I was lucky enough to fire one of them in 2010 – what a fantastic bang they make!!
Best Wishes,
Averil
I last attended the firing many years ago. I would like to attend this year but as I have to travel a fair distance could you just confirm that it will be held on Saturday 10th November.
Thanks
jh
Hi Jim,
Thanks for getting in touch! Your Novmber date is just a day out of synch – the 11th falls on a Monday in 2013 (not Sunday) so the Poppers will be fired on Monday 11th this year. Hope you enjoy them!
Best wishes,
Averil
Have just got back after seeing the Fenny Poppers fired. I got talking to a very nice man who had grown up in the area. He was a bit disappointed by the low turnout of watchers, but it was a weekday and raining. We were a small but select bunch trying to shelter under the dripping trees. He said it used to be a bigger event, with the streets closed and processions. I tried to take photos of him firing a Popper, but I think I only got clouds of thick smoke. (He’ll have to photoshop himself in.) A junior school playground is to one side of the firing site, and the whole school trooped out to watch and yell when the cannons went off. It was really good fun!