VILLAGERS at Appleton Thorn, Warrington, turned back the clock to 1178 to celebrate the unique annual Bawming the Thorn ceremony.
Special guest at the event was local historian Mark Olly, who officially opened the event at the only village in the country where the “Bawming the Thorn” ceremony takes place.
The thorn tree, which stands beside the local church, is believed to be an offshoot from the Glastonbury thorn which grew from the staff of Jospeh.
Adam de Dutton, a knight of the crusades and local landowner brought it to Appleton Thorn in 1178, although the current tree is a relative newcomer.
Bawming involves decorating the tree with flowers and ribbons, with local school children performing the bawming dance.
To commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, the tree became one of only 50 in the country to be chosen as a Great British Tree!
Thelwall Morrismen
Special guest Mark Olly in the parade
Knight Michael Cooper with page Max Ison reliving the Bawming Ceremony
