1. A CHOICE OF OLD BRITISH TRADITIONS AND HOLIDAYS Ebe Namsing 2013

2. St George’s Day  Celebrated on the 23rd of April  Patron saint of England  Originally a Roman soldier  Popular holiday since the time of early Crusades  Red rose in the button hole

3. May Day  The first day of the month of May  Celebration of the coming of summer  Most customs are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter  Morris Dancing  Dancing around a Maypole  Carried out in England for over 2000 years

4. May Day  Origins of Morris Dancing  Seen throughout the month of May  traditional folkdancing  Several thoughts about the origin  Very lively an accompanied by different musicians  What is a maypole?  Young cut down trees stuck in the ground  Dancing around it to celebrate end of Winter

7. Well Dressing  The decorating of wells, springs or other water sources with pictures made of growing things  E.g. mosaic-like pictures made of plants

8. Well Dressing  Origins lie in pagan tradition  To give thanks for the purity of water during the Black Death  Takes place from May until late September

10. Wassailing  In the cider-producing counties in the South West or South East of England  Singing and drinking to celebrate the health of trees in the hopes that they might live longer and thrive better  The purpose is to awaken the cider apple trees and to scare away evil spirits to ensure a good harvest of fruit in the Autumn  Wassail as a beverage

13. Harvest Festival  Used to be celebrated on August 1st (start of harvest season)  Farmers made bread from the new wheat to give to their local church  Harvest Supper to celebrate end of harvest  Corn dollies

15. Harvest Festival  The old custom ended when Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church  Celebrating Harvest Festival in churches as we know it today began in 1843  Nowadays celebrated at the end of the season

16. Tar Barrel Racing  Originated in the 17th century  Celebrated on November 5th in Ottery St Mary  Barrels soaked in tar  Lit outside pubs  Hoisted up onto local people's backs once the flames begin to pour out

17. Tar Barrel Racing  Seventeen Barrels are lit over the course of the evening  Racing with barrels  Began as a pagan ritual that cleanses the streets of evil spirits

19. Boxing Day  Celebrated on the 26th of December  Traditionally, the day to open the Christmas Box to share the contents with the poor  The Christmas box was a wooden or clay container where people placed gifts.  The tradition of giving money to workers continues today

20. Boxing Day  Customary for householders to give small gifts to regular visiting trades people  E.g. the milkman, dustman, coalman, paper boy  In some work places employers give a Christmas bonus to employees

21. References  http://projectbritain.com/curious/calendar.htm http://projectbritain.com/curious/calendar.htm  http://www.tarbarrels.co.uk/ http://www.tarbarrels.co.uk/  http://www.educationquizzes.com/blog-for-parents/wp- content/uploads/2013/05/mayday_1819459c.jpg http://www.educationquizzes.com/blog-for-parents/wp- content/uploads/2013/05/mayday_1819459c.jpg  http://angelinasmusicbox.com/Images/Music_Boxes/Christmas /ChristmasBox.JPG http://angelinasmusicbox.com/Images/Music_Boxes/Christmas /ChristmasBox.JPG