THE ancient tradition of Bawming The Thorn at Appleton Thorn has sadly been cancelled again due to COVID-19 restrictions but children from the local primary school will still dance at a private event.
The event which legend has it dates back to the days of the crusades is held on the third Saturday in June every year, this year 19th June.
This year the village and the school are trying to make it a bit more special for the children, with Year 6 pupils at Appleton Thorn Primary School performing the dance in the Covid secure grounds of the school, dressed in the Bawming uniform but dancing around a maypole instead.
Some Choir members from the Appleton Thorn Village Choir will sing the Bawming song in the school grounds.
Local vicar Alan Jewell will be the guest speaker and present the medals to the children. Only parents of Year 6 will be able to attend socially distanced. There is a drawing competition where there are prizes for the top 3 winners.
Finally, there will be an ice cream van in the school car park so the children can have free ice cream, all funded by a raffle organised by Amanda Yarwood from Appleton Thorn Village Hall. The Bawming Tree will be decorated as well as the Church and the Bawming flag flown at the Village Hall.
Bawming Committee member Susan Plass said: “Unfortunately, there is no event for the general public to attend. Hopefully, the weather will hold for the children. Let’s hope Bawming will happen in 2022.”
Legend has it that 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 Joseph.
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 the Thorn involves decorating the tree with flowers and ribbons and in normal circumstances, local school children from Appleton Thorn Primary School would perform the bawming dance.
The decorated tree
