| Where: | Kirtlington, Oxfordshire - all around the village including processions from the northern boundary to St Mary's Church and from the Church to the school, and performances at the School and Village Hall |
| When: | Weekend of Trinity Sunday |
| Time: | From 10 am both days- check schedule link for full details |
Whitsun church ales were once widespread annual celebrations featuring feasting and merriment, and the Lamb Ale at Kirtlington can trace its origins back to the early seventeenth century and beyond. Apparently the maidens of the village used to compete to catch a real lamb with their thumbs tied behind their backs just to add to the excitement- the lucky girl who could hold the sheep presided over the festivities as Lady of the Lamb. The festival has always been associated with morris dancing, and today the local Kirtlington Morris host the event with a number of invited guests who dance their socks off over the whole weekend in and around the pretty village, often with a dance tour of the local area on the Saturday followed by a ceilidh and lamb roast. Following the first procession, led by the village children with a garland, there’s a special church service on the Sunday morning which features some very fancy jigs and appropriate well known hymns; there were lambs in the pulpit when we visited but they were knitted and nobody risked injury (or teeth) trying to restrain them. Kirtlington Morris lead the dancing after the service, then the guest sides take turns all afternoon at set locations around the village.
Helpful Hints
The Festival is held over the weekend of Trinity Sunday, which varies a little in date as it’s linked to the moveable feast of Easter; Trinity Sunday is always 8 weeks after Easter Sunday so can be in May or June. In 2027 Trinity Sunday falls upon 23rd of May, so the Lamb Ale Festival should be on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of May.
The full schedule, with map of procession routes, timings and venues, will be available on the links below.
Click here for Kirtlington Morris’ website: https://kirtlington-morris.org.uk
and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kirtlingtonmorris
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