List of Customs

There are many local customs and traditions in Gloucestershire including the following:

Avening Feast and Queen Matilda's Pageant:

takes place in September

Known locally as 'Pig-Face Day' villagers feast in the village hall after attending evensong at the Church of the Holy Cross, Avening. The feast commemorates Queen Matilda, wife of William the Conquerer, who consecrated the church in 1080.

Birdlip, Coopers Hill - Cheese Rolling

Spring Bank Holiday Monday

Young people assemble at the top of the hill and prepare to chase the 'cheese' down the hill. The 'cheese' is rolled down and whoever reaches the bottom first claims it.

This custom originally ensured the villagers' rights to graze sheep on the hill.

More information on the BBC website

more about this on www.Crackerjack.co.uk  and on SoGlos - the online magazine for Gloucestershire

Bisley - Well Dressing

Ascension Day

First held in 1863.Rev Thomas Keble established the tradition shortly after he had tidied up and formalized the village's main water supply in Wells Road.The act of dressing wells with flowers has pagan origins, with its roots in the worship of the life-giving force of water but it could be that Rev Keble simply wished to mark the restoration of the wells. A similar ceremony takes place in the Derbyshire Peak District.

A short Church Service is followed by a Procession to the Wells where wreaths and posies are laid. The eldest 22 children in the Bluecoat village school carry the wreaths and garlands that head the procession and form the centrepiece of the ceremony. These consist of Stars of David, the letters A.D. and the year, letters spelling out the word 'Ascension' and five hoops.

Bourton-on-the-Water - The Water Game

August Bank Holiday

This game is played on the day of the local fete. It began with the coronation of Edward VII and is a five-a-side football match with a difference - actually played in the stream of the River Windrush!

Chipping Campden Dover's Games

Friday after Spring Bank Holiday Monday

Tradition dating back to Shakespeare's times. Inaugurated by Robert Dover in 1612, the 'Cotswold Olympicks' consist of a mix of old sports. obstacle races, tugs-of-war and also features exhibitions of backsword fighting and shin-kicking. Resurrected in 1951 as part of the nationwide Festival of Britain and held annually from early 1960s, a cannon is traditionally fired to start the games. After the competitions a torchlit procession wends its way to the town square for more entertainment. The games are followed the next day by the Scuttlebrook Way.

Scuttlebrook Wake - Chipping Campden

Saturday after the Spring Bank Holiday Monday

Crowning of the May Queen, Fancy Dress Parade, Maypole dancing, Morris Dancing.

Judging at 2pm at Littleworth.

Parade from Littleworth to the Market Square for prize giving at 3pm.

Marshfield Paper Boys

Boxing Day

The town crier leads a procession of characters dressed in paper costumes through the streets of the town. Beginning at Marshfield Market Place at about eleven o'clock and working their way down to a pitch outside the Elias Crispe almshouses, the 'paper boys' perform the town's unique mumming play.

Newent Onion Fayre

September

Centuries old Onion Fayre is thought to be the only British celebration of onions. Events include a raw onion eating contest, a competitive prize onion show, onion-related stalls and competitions. For more information contact Newent Tourist Information Office Tel 01531 822468.

Painswick Ancient Clypping Ceremony

Feast Sunday, on or after September 19

Held at Painswick Parish Church, this ceremony has nothing to do with the trimming of the ninety nine yew trees in the churchyard but instead 'Clypping' means embracing the church and the faith it stands for. Local people join hands round the church to form an unbroken chain and then sing the 'Clypping Hymn' as part of an open air service. This custom dates back to 1321 and formed part of the village fair celebrations.

Randwick - Cheese Rolling

The first Sunday in May

Randwick is only one of two villages who still enjoy the ancient custom of cheese rolling. In Randwick the cheeses - usually three double Gloucesters are rolled mystically and anticlockwise around the Church after being blessed. The Church service begins at 10.30am on the first Sunday in May. The rolling of the cheeses supposedly wards off evil spirits. After rolling, one of the cheeses is cut up and shared amongst bystanders. Eating of the cheese protects ones' fertility and ensures future generations of "Runickers" - the local name for villagers.

The other two cheeses are kept until the following Saturday when they are rolled down the steep slopes of the Well Leaze three times as part of the ancient Wap celebration. For further details see Randwick Wap or contact Stan Giles tel 01453 766782.

Randwick Wap

The Saturday following the first Sunday in May

The Randwick Wap is an ancient procession and festival that dates back to the Middle Ages. The colourful and musical procession of villagers in traditional costume wends its way from the War Memorial to the Mayor's Pool. The procession is lead by the Mop Man who swishes his wet mop to clear the crowds. During the procession, the Mayor and Queen are carried shoulder high and escorted by an entourage of flag boys, ladies in waiting, cheese bearers, Princesses, a sword bearer and a flag man. The Mayor is dunked in the Mayor's Pool before being doused with spring water. The procession continues to the Well Leaze where two double Gloucester Cheeses are rolled down the steep slope. After the procession there are bands playing all afternoon, country dancing, stalls, and entertainments, refreshments and something for everyone. Admission to the Wap is free. It starts at 12.45pm on the Saturday following the first Sunday in May. For details contact Stan Giles tel 01453 766782.

St Briavels - Bread and Cheese Dole

Whit Sunday St Briavels

At St Mary's Parish Church after the evening service crowds wait outside to receive the 'dole' Small pieces of bread and cheese are thrown into the air from large baskets and are caught by parishioners.

In past times each person who claimed the 'dole' had to pay a penny which then entitled him to cut and take wood from Hudnalls or the Free Woods.

The event is said to date from the time of Milo, Earl of Hereford, in the twelfth century but was first recorded in 1799.

Stow on the Wold Horse Fair

The nearest Thursday to May 12th and October 24th

"The gypsy horse fair attracts hundreds of sightseers to Stow twice a year. Gipsies gather from all corners of England for a meet and greet and hundreds of horses are paraded and sold, all in one day. It's quite a site! So how did it all begin and why Stow-on-the-Wold. As you might expect, when dealing with a Cotswold tradition, you have to go back a very long way." (From "The Gypsy Horse Fair at Stow-on-the-Wold" at Stow gypsy horse fair [Opens in New Window])

Tetbury - Woolsack Day

May Bank Holiday

Every year teams of four compete in pairs to relay a 60lb woolsack (35lb for ladies) up and down Gumstool Hill between The Crown and The Royal Oak pubs in the fastest time. The course is 280 yards long with a 1 in 4 gradient! There is also a competition for individuals who race uphill once. The men's record is just under three and a half minutes, while the women's and youths records are around three minutes fifty seconds and three minutes twenty seconds. The Races form the central attraction of a Charity fund-raising day out which includes an all day street market, charity auction, village fete, street entertainers, marching bands and more entertainment for everyone