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October
A long time ago the year was marked out with special days which marked the passing year. These were days of celebrations where people would do things, eat things or make things which they would not normally do.
See also folk, facts and sayings about October |
First Sunday
Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Dating from the 19th century, the Pearly Kings & Queens are a much-loved
Cockney tradition. It started when a young boy covered a suit with pearly buttons
to attract attention and to raise money for the poor at charity events and fairs.
Other boroughs were so impressed that they got their own Pearly King or Queen.
The tradition continues to thrive today and Pearly Kings and Queens can be seen
in their full spectacle at the annual Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival.
The annual Harvest Festival Service at the church of St. Martin-in-the Fields
offers a spectacular display of historical London in all its glory.
Second Sunday
Ashton,
Northamptonshire
Information about the game of conkers
4th Thursday
Traditionally on this
night, children in the South of England would carve their ‘Punkies’,(pumpkins)
into Jack O'Lanterns. Once carved the children would go out in groups
and march through
the streets, singing traditional ‘punky’ songs, calling
in at friendly houses and competing for best lantern with rival groups
they meet. The streets would be lit with the light of the Punkies.
Today, in Hinton St George,
Somerset, the children still carry candle-lanterns made from hollow
out pumpkins
through the streets in the evening.
, Abingdon, Oxon
The Michaelmas Fair (also known as the Ock Fair) was originally a 'hiring mart' for those seeking employment.
Bankside outside Shakespeare's Globe
"October Plenty is an Autumn harvest celebration held annually in Southwark. Beginning on the Bankside, by Shakespeare's Globe, October Plenty mixes ancient seasonal customs and theatre with contemporary festivity, joining with historic Borough Market, Southwark." The LionsPart
The Berry Man
The Berry Man is the Lions Part Autumn incarnation of the original Green Man. The berry man is coverd with wild fruits and foliage.
The Corn Queene effigy
The Corn Queene effigy
A Corn Queene effigy made from wheat, barley and other grains, and apples, root vegetables and foliage from the Borough Market, is paraded
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