Pictures John Hopkins
VILLAGERS turned out in force to celebrate the ancient tradition of Bawming the Thorn at Appleton Thorn, Warrington.
Organised by Appleton Thorn Primary School, the event included a parade through the village followed by the bawming of the Thorn tree in the village centre. There was also food and lots of entertainment for all, including a bar and live music on the school field.
The event also included the new addition of Bawmfest, providing a stage for young musicians, from primary age to college and university, to find their voice and inspire others to pick up an instrument.
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.
