Thousands flock to village carnivals

THOUSANDS of villagers flocked to two annual carnivals in Warrington despite the unseasonal downpours.
At Appleton Thorn youngsters from Appleton Thorn Primary School performed the ancient Bawming the Thorn Ceremony which dates back to medieval times.
Other youngsters dressed in fancy dress as pupils danced around the Bawm tree, which has origins dating back to the days of the crusades.
Each June, the village hosts the ceremony of “Bawming the Thorn”. The current form of the ceremony dates from the Nineteenth Century, when it was part of the village’s “Walking Day”.
The ceremony stopped in the 1930’s, but was later revived by the then headmaster, Mr. Bob Jones in 1967. “Bawming the Thorn” occurs on the Saturday nearest to Midsummer’s Day.
“Bawming” means “decorating” – during the ceremony the thorn tree is decorated with ribbons and garlands. According to legend, the hawthorn at Appleton Thorn grew from a cutting of the Holy Thorn at Glastonbury, which was itself said to have sprung from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea, the man who arranged for Jesus’s burial after the Crucifixion.
Meanwhile in the neighbouring village of Thelwall 12-year-old Lymm High School pupil Eloise Kershaw was crowned Thelwall Rose Queen during a ceremony on the village hall fields.
Other youngsters and groups took part in a parade of floats witha film theme through the village.
To see more pictures from both events follow the links
Bawming the Thorn Picture special