One of the UK’s oldest surviving annual rituals will be returning to the streets of a Staffordshire village this September as the eccentric event heads towards its 800th anniversary.
The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, performed since 1226, sees costumed characters take part in a procession that is always held on Wakes Monday: or, more precisely, “the Monday following the first Sunday after the fourth of September”.
An unusual annual draw for visitors from far and wide, for 2024 this peculiarly English custom is due to take place on 9 September in Abbots Bromley, an attractive village with an ancient church and several typical Staffordshire half-timbered cottages.
Chalking up its 798th year, the event dates to the Berthelmy Fair granted to the Abbots of Burton by Henry III and involves six men in colourful costumes who carry reindeer antlers believed to date from around 1065. They are joined by a Fool, Hobby Horse, Bowman and Maid Marian (who is always male), along with a melodeon player.
Gathering at St Nicholas Church, the assorted dancers head off in a parade that follows a set route around the village as crowds watch.
It covers some 10 miles, meaning the dancers are not always on view from the village itself, but other attractions include exhibitions and craft stalls to keep people entertained.
The Horn Dance has apparently only been cancelled once, in the 1920s, because the musician was ill and one of the dancers had died.
For an additional eccentric twist, visitors can head to the village’s 16th century Goat’s Head pub where there is still a room named after highwayman Dick Turpin, who apparently stayed overnight after he stole “Black Bess” from nearby Rugeley Horsefair.
For further details, visit www.abbotsbromley.com/horn_dance
For general tourist information about the area visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com