Mari Lwyd

Ventured up to Stroud today for the annual Wassail. The weather was predictably rubbish, which was a shame because the mummers, morris sides and assorted freaky of the Wassail were splendid.

Wassailing is a tradition held and or revived in the south west, the west country and the south east (not really northern then) whereby the spirits of the local cider apple trees are ritually blessed and gifted. Many a transnatural beanie, like the Mari Lwyd, accompanies this ritual, and morris dance is often committed.

The Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare) is more a Welsh tradition (but we're close enough in Stroud...) made of a hooded horses skull on a pole. She takes her part alongside the mummers in the traditional slightly non-PC pantomime.

There's a few more pictures from the rainy day in Stroud, on flickr.