| Where: | Hinton St George, Somerset - village centre starting at Village Hall |
| When: | Last Thursday in October (usually) |
| Time: | Evening from 6pm |
A Punkie is a hollowed-out mangold or manglewurzel with a lit candle inside to make a lantern (very much like the turnip lanterns we made as children for Hallowe’en in North-East England before the ubiquitous pumpkin took centre stage). The children of Hinton St George carry their lanterns in a procession around the village on the last Thursday in October, chanting a special rhyme; they are led by the Punkie King and Queen and prizes are given for the best designed Punkies. The origins of the custom are obscure, with legends of the original lanterns being made by the village wives going in search of their inebriated husbands lost on the way home from Chiselborough Fair. Expect at least 250 people to be there, many in spooky fancy dress ; it seems almost impossible that Punkie Night isn’t closely linked with Hallowe’en and though the custom has its own unique aspects it bears a strong resemblance to traditions carried out all over the UK for Hallowe’en. The parade follows a route around the village with stops for Morris Dancing and for singing the Punkie Song, before all return to the Village Hall where the judging takes place. The punkies are hung from a special beam on the stage and there are categories for different age groups with prizes for the top 3 in each category. Don’t worry about the spelling – the alternative of “punky” is also used.
Helpful Hints
In 2025 it should be on Thursday October 30th (to be confirmed). In 2024 it was held a week early on 24th to avoid a clash with Hallowe’en on 31st.
Full details will be on the Facebook link.
Refreshments are available at the Village Hall – in 2016 they were an absolute bargain with hot dogs at £1 and cakes at 50p & £1.
Click here for the event Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/punkienight
My Uncle Doug (Gillard) I believe really started and made a big event of Punky Night in the village. We have pictures of him up at the Cross with the children and their pumpkins. He is sadly missed but his legacy lives on and there are recordings of his voice held at The British Museum for future generations and I enjoy listening to him on the internet, though I have to confess to not really understanding every word!
Two of his sons (my cousins) still live in the village and one not far away.
You’re lucky to have a family connection to such a lovely event! We went for the first time this year and thought it was a good evening out – and what a beautiful setting the village makes for it.
My grandad was Douglas Gillard and as a child I would go around all the neighbouring villages with him selling raffle tickets for one of my cousins to become punky king or queen because the one that sold the most tickets got to be king or queen. Then on the Thursday night all of our family would travel from Seavington to Hinton to take part in the parade and then the judging. Granfy Gillard, as he was known to all us grandchildren, would always put in so much time and effort to ensure everything went according to plan on punky night and we all wanted to go and support him.
Hi How Wonderfull it is to hear this Event is still happening I grew up In the Village My Mother Was born a Hintonian and Lived there Untill she passed Dorothy Griffiths My brother still Lives there.I was Queen and my brothers Both princes and I was princess One year.I Remember Mr Gillard with Fondest of memories.Brian Cornielous also who used to grow the pumpkins and had alot of photographs of Years gone by.I Loved growing up In Hinton st George And brilliant the Legendarny event is still going how exciting…Xx
We live a long way from Hinton St George, but we visited last year for Punkie Night and had a great time. Wish it was nearer home for us!
Averil
I grew up in Misterton, near Crewkerne, and we always used to celebrate Punkie Night. Farmer Jeffery’s mangold clamp was always raided before the event. After hollowing out the mangold we’d pin coloured crepe paper over the inside of the eyes, nose and mouth before lighting the candle. I don’t think they do it there now.
Happy memories (we didn’t celebrate Hallowe’en).
Sounds good! I think Hinton St George may be the only place now where Punkie Night still happens – but it’s not far from Crewkerne so well worth the trip. Up north at Hallowe’en we always used turnips (swedes) with candles inside – still love the smell of slightly singed turnip to this day 🙂
Best wishes,
Averil
I remember this well too..Travelled from Seavington also ..Nee Reyland..to the event..Just explained to my landlady about the event..I had learned that it was about a child that got lost and the villagers got together to help look for..Not sure if true or not..Good fun was the event and always looked forward too as a child.
The version I heard was it was the men got lost on the way back from the fair and the women made lanterns to go and look for them in the dark! It’s a lovely event- glad it’s back on again.