Pictures John Hopkins
SHOWERS failed to dampen spirits at the ancient tradition of Bawming the Thorn as hundreds of people flocked to the village of Appleton Thorn in Warrington to celebrate one of the oldest traditions in British history.
Youngsters from Appleton Thorn Primary School and other youngsters and organisations parade through the village with a fancy dress parade prior to the bawming of the thorn tree.
Appleton Thorn village is now the only village in England where the ‘Bawming of the Thorn’ ceremony takes place on the third Saturday of June each year.
The thorn tree, which stands beside the church, is believed to be an offshoot of the Glastonbury thorn, which grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. Adam de Dutton, a knight of the Crusades and local landowner, brought it to Appleton.
Villagers were entertained all afternoon with live performances on the main stage from local choirs and young emerging artists like Olivia Booth who was a former pupil at Appleton Thorn Primary School, who now organise the event which helps raise funds for the school.
Nora Carlin led the parade
