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| Saturday
30th April
was Butser Ancient Farm’s annual celebration of
Beltain. The Romans tell us that this was when the
ancient Britons burnt a huge Wicker Man to insure healthy
crops and livestock and to welcome in the Spring. Butser
kept this tradition alive in a grand style welcoming over
1300 people through its gates to watch their towering
giant, a good 30 foot high, go up in flames to the sound
of beating drums and surrounded by fire breathers. This was a fantastic climax to an evening filled with family entertainment. Visitors and helpers joined in the spirit of the occasion by having their faces painted with ‘woad’ and made garlands for their heads. Two live bands provided the music whilst the Ancient Farm’s roundhouses and Roman Villa provided the atmospheric setting for a great evening out. The Playmakers mummers performed a traditional May Day play and then escorted the procession to the Wicker Man. We hope to repeat this success with an event in late October - a celebration to mark the ancient festival of Samhain. |
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Butser Ancient Farm is open to the
public on the last weekend in the months
March – September
Created 17 May 2005 - Updated 17 May 2005