THE historic village of Appleton Thorn came alive with music and centuries-old folklore on Saturday, as the annual Bawming the Thorn ceremony returned alongside its expanding music festival, Bawm Fest.
The event, unique to this Cheshire village, united hundreds of residents and visitors in a midsummer celebration just a day before the summer solstice.
The afternoon began at 12:00 pm at Appleton Thorn Primary School, where crowds gathered for a lively community Samba parade. Led by a vibrant percussion beat from local workshops, the procession marched down to the historic hawthorn tree standing beside the local church.
According to local folklore, the tree is an offshoot of the famous Glastonbury Thorn, brought to the area by Crusader knight Adam de Dutton. Schoolchildren dressed in immaculate attire took part in the traditional “bawming”—which means decorating—by adorning the branches with colourful ribbons and fresh summer flowers.
The Appleton Thorn Village Choir led the crowd in a rendition of the traditional Bawming Song while the children danced around the tree.
Following the formal ceremony, the focus shifted back to the academy grounds for Bawm Fest 2026, which ran from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Now in its third consecutive year as part of the modern format, the ticketed festival serves as a youth-led cultural programme to give emerging performers their first steps toward larger regional events.
The 2026 festival featured dynamic live performances spread across two distinct stages. Local talent included student ensembles from Priestley College, Sir John Deane’s College, Lymm High School, and the Warrington Music Hub.
Popular local group The Jack Buckley Trio took the main stage to entertain the festival crowds into the evening.
Food vendors served street food alongside a dedicated festival bar offering cocktails, prosecco, and summer refreshments.
Headteacher Zoe Jones noted that embedding the tradition within a youth-led creative programme has successfully secured and sustained the heritage of Appleton Thorn for future generations. All funds raised from ticket sales and merchant spaces will go directly to supporting creative arts and student initiatives at the primary school.
Pictures John Hopkins
