| Where: | Burford, Oxfordshire starting at the Green by Warwick Hall |
| When: | Saturday nearest 17th May |
| Time: | From 10.30 am - 4.30pm with Posy Laying at 11 am approx followed by Parade |
The Levellers, a radical political group somewhat ahead of its time, were suppressed by the Commonwealth in 1649 ; here at Burford hundreds of their members were imprisoned in the church and the three ringleaders were executed. They believed in the abolition of monarchy, religious tolerance , equality and extended suffrage. Every May on the weekend nearest the anniversary of this event, the Levellers are remembered at Burford and modern political themes are discussed; the event has been running annually for forty years. There are debates, music & dancing, speeches and a grand parade. Expect banners, flags,placards and seventeenth century costume; posies are laid on the churchyard in memory of the fallen.
Helpful Hints
In 2026 it was on Saturday 9th May (a little earlier than usual) – 2027 details are yet to be announced.
Look out for the plaque on the church wall (outside) which commemorates the 1649 events.
Sandwiches, cake & drinks are available at the marquee.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/levellersday
Click here for the event website : http://levellersday.wordpress.com
Would the gathering like to hear about my new book, with 70 petition texts addressed to Parliament or the army between September 1648 and early February 1649? Many of them were strongly influenced by the Levellers’ Large Petition of 11 September.
https://www.breviarystuff.org.uk/norah-carlin-regicide-or-revolution/
Hi Norah,
Your message has come through to calendarcustoms rather than the Levellers Day organisers- you can get in touch with them at https://levellersday.wordpress.com
Best of luck!
Averil
I can confirm that we will hold the event on Saturday 20 May 2023 at the churchyard and Warwick Hall in Burford. 10.30am onwards.
Hi Megan,
Many thanks for the confirmation- just what we needed to know!
Best wishes,
Averil
Please can you tell me if dogs (small, well behaved) are allowed on a lead at Levellers Day?
Thank you.
Hi Cherry,
I’m pretty sure that well behaved dogs are welcome at Levellers Day but it’s a few years since I was there so just in case anything has changed, I’d advise asking the organisers directly (calendarcustoms isn’t connected with the running of the event and I don’t want to give you the wrong information!). You can contact them by messaging them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/levellersday or on the website at https://levellersday.wordpress.com
Hope you and the dog enjoy it!
Averil
Dear Friends,
Would you like to publicise the Levellers day event in the Morning Star newspaper.
Many thanks,
Mosh
Hi Mosh,
Your message has come to calendarcustoms rather than the Levellers Day organisers- follow the link to their page at https://www.facebook.com/levellersday and you can message them direct,
Best wishes
Averil
Got 1th May from 10 30 but who are the speakers and programme?????????????
Hi John, Calendarcustoms isn’t connected to the running of Levellers Day but I’ve checked the event’s own Facebook page and website and they haven’t published the programme yet- but you can find further information including a list of speakers for 2024 at https://levellersday.wordpress.com/whats-happening-2024/
That’s where the most up-to-date information will appear – keep an eye on that page or you can try contacting the organisers direct via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/levellersday (though this hasn’t been updated for a while).
Best wishes,
Averil
Can you let me know how we can join in please? i.e. a stall and/or the parade? We have done so in the past – but some years ago.
Amnesty International Group Chipping Norton.
Dear Heather,
Here at Calendarcustoms we have no connection with the organisation of Levellers Day, but if you follow the links to the event’s own website at https://levellersday.wordpress.com/ (which has a contact form if you scroll down the page) or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/levellersday hopefully you should be able to get some answers. It’s a great day out- – best of luck!
Best wishes,
Averil