Dartmoor Border Morris Mummers’ Play

Sunday 7th January at 1:00pm

Dartmoor Border Morris Mummers’ Play

Dartmoor Border Morris will be at The Great Barn at Buckland Abbey performing its increasingly popular Mummers’ play. These plays were popular during the medieval period when very few people could read, so a play would be performed telling the story of how good overcame evil. Traditionally, the play would feature St George fighting the dragon, but as this play takes place in Sir Francis Drake’s former home, it has been adapted to tell the tale of Sir Francis Drake defeating the evil King Phillip of Spain. The play still has a Doctor with his special potion, as well as a Winter Queen (Queen Elizabeth I), Old Mother Dolly, played by a chap called David, Father Christmas who cannot remember his lines, and a very naughty Morris beast called Chatterley.

This family-friendly play will be followed by lots of Morris dancing and then, around 3 pm, everyone will parade with much noise to the orchard to rid the apple trees of any evil spirits lurking there; lots of small children in wellies are required, banging dustbin lids, pots and pans, and pouring apple cider around the roots. Wassail is a toast to good health and wassailing is an ancient custom traditionally carried out on New Year's Eve and Twelfth Night. The wassailers will attempt to wake the trees from their winter sleep with as much noise as possible and place toast in the branches to encourage the birds to forage for insects that might harm the sleeping apple trees. (If the weather is poor please check with Buckland Abbey on the day for possible changes.)

Saturday 20th January

Bere Ferrers Wassail

If you missed the Buckland Abbey Wassail, or enjoyed it and want more, then head to the Church Hall at Bere Ferrers, where Dartmoor Border Morris will be helping the Tavy & Tamar Apple Group, with lots of Morris dancing and then wassailing in the dark orchard by firelight. Pots, pans, wooden rackets and small children in wellies are a must!

Start:6.30pm; Entry: £6

Dartmoor Border Morris supports Jeremiah’s Journey as its main charity and is also proud to be sponsored by Dartmoor Brewery. It is a mixed Morris side of various ages, so if you can play any musical instrument, or would like to join in the fun that is Morris dancing, pop along to Meavy village hall on a Wednesday night at 8 pm. www.dartmoorbordermorris.com