Abbots Bromley Horn Dance 2016

This Monday 12th September adds a little zest to the village of Abbots Bromley, a quaint village with 5 pubs!! I happened to go to the school of St Mary and St Anne  ( known as AB) in Abbots Bromley  many years ago, and it was a highlight of the week to go and watch this original dance of men with horns on their shoulders, a Maid Marion etc etc.. more about that later. It took away the thought of being marooned at school for the next six weeks until half term. It was a bit Victorian in those days but I survived. I am sure many polished corners agree with me. 

Back to the Horn Dancers, It starts at 8.15 am on Monday 12th . It has been performed since 1226 on every Wake Monday which is a religious festival in some counties and  it is one of the few ritual customs to survive the passage of time. After collecting the horns from the Church at 8.00am, the horn dancers comprising of 6 deer men, a fool, hobby horse, bowman and maid marion perform their dance to music provided by a melodian player at various locations through the village, its many pubs, and surrounding farms. It is a walk of about 10 miles. At the end of a long and tiring day the horns are returned to the church in the evening. I am sure they manage to sustain themselves when they visit the pubs! To add to the day out the village has added local craft stalls and of course the pubs are open for the duration. We hope you manage to spare some time to visit this local tradition , we certainly will. The itinerary is as follows: