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Oak Apple Day

Click images to enlarge St Edmunds Church

Attractions: Annual Shows Family Entertainment Details: On Oak Apple Day (usually around 29th May - Bank Holiday) the ancient ceremony of Garlanding takes place - departing from the Cheshire Cheese Inn - and the 'King Garland' is paraded though the streets, carried on horseback. After pausing to dance at various points along the way, the procession arrives at St Edmunds church and the garland is pulled up to the top of the tower and fixed to a pinnacle. The 'queen' posy is then placed on the town war memorial. The ceremony celebrates the pagan rite for the symbolic ending of winter, as well as the restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660 after the brief Cromwellian interlude (1653-59). (id: '6') This listing has been viewed 1847 times Another Castleton Holiday Tourist Guide listing created by Let's Stay Castleton.