Archive for May, 2014

  • The Pyx is a container for coins and the Trial is a ceremony which checks that the coinage is of suitable quality and weight. Sample coins are put in the […]

    London Trial of the Pyx

    The Pyx is a container for coins and the Trial is a ceremony which checks that the coinage is of suitable quality and weight. Sample coins are put in the […]

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  • The Colne Oyster Fishery at Colchester dates back many hundreds of years and it is officially opened by the Mayor and Dignitaries on the first friday in September each year. […]

    Colchester Opening of the Oyster Fishery

    The Colne Oyster Fishery at Colchester dates back many hundreds of years and it is officially opened by the Mayor and Dignitaries on the first friday in September each year. […]

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  • The Mayor and dignitaries host the annual Oyster Feast at Colchester each October in a civic custom dating back several hundred years. It’s a lavish affair and worthy guests, sometimes […]

    Colchester Oyster Feast

    The Mayor and dignitaries host the annual Oyster Feast at Colchester each October in a civic custom dating back several hundred years. It’s a lavish affair and worthy guests, sometimes […]

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  • The ancient annual Pancake Greaze on Shrove Tuesday is included on the site because it’s well-known and has an interesting history dating back to at least the eighteenth century. It’s […]

    Westminster School Pancake Greaze

    The ancient annual Pancake Greaze on Shrove Tuesday is included on the site because it’s well-known and has an interesting history dating back to at least the eighteenth century. It’s […]

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  • The coming of spring is an important landmark in the pagan calendar, and the festival held each year at the prehistoric site of Thornborough Henge celebrates the turning of the […]

    Thornborough Beltane

    The coming of spring is an important landmark in the pagan calendar, and the festival held each year at the prehistoric site of Thornborough Henge celebrates the turning of the […]

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  • The Snake’s Head Fritillary is a scarce wildflower which flourishes in a country meadow in Oxfordshire in the parish of Ducklington; it is believed that this is the only place […]

    Ducklington Fritillary Sunday

    The Snake’s Head Fritillary is a scarce wildflower which flourishes in a country meadow in Oxfordshire in the parish of Ducklington; it is believed that this is the only place […]

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  • The cuckoo is a harbinger of spring and each year the residents of Marsden mark the welcome change in the season with their Cuckoo Festival. Legend has it that the […]

    Marsden Cuckoo Festival

    The cuckoo is a harbinger of spring and each year the residents of Marsden mark the welcome change in the season with their Cuckoo Festival. Legend has it that the […]

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  • Midsummer is the patronal feast of St John the Baptist on June 24th and many churches with this dedication celebrate in mid June, near the ancient festival of the Summer […]

    Bishops Castle Midsummer Rejoicing

    Midsummer is the patronal feast of St John the Baptist on June 24th and many churches with this dedication celebrate in mid June, near the ancient festival of the Summer […]

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  • In a ceremony dating back over 250 years, the Mayor and other Town Council officials distribute oranges to the children of Morpeth every Easter Monday. The orgins of the custom […]

    Morpeth Easter Oranges

    In a ceremony dating back over 250 years, the Mayor and other Town Council officials distribute oranges to the children of Morpeth every Easter Monday. The orgins of the custom […]

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  • Spaw Sunday is a celebration of the local water supply in a custom closely related to Well Dressing (see separate article), recently revived after a break. Three areas are currently […]

    Calderdale & Gunthwaite Spaw Sunday

    Spaw Sunday is a celebration of the local water supply in a custom closely related to Well Dressing (see separate article), recently revived after a break. Three areas are currently […]

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