by John Glover
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list
Episode 46: "The Bull Shavers" - (May 19th 00:30)
Fred
Ricketts finished his story about The Dog Slimmers and took another sip on
his whisky. He liked nothing better than some willing listeners to his old
tales of the fens. Fiona Morgan was enjoying her drink and relaxing in one
of Fred's old and very comfortable armchairs. Yaxley Farcett was slumped
in the adjacent chair on the verge of sleep, his head lolling about and snapping
back to attention every now and again. Fred leaned back and continued...
"There's an 'ol Fenland custom I'll tell yew about: Bull Shaving ! It were
very popular in the
Parish of Barnham in the late nineteenth century. Legend hes it that the pastime
began after the traditional Plough Monday festival had turned into nothin'
more than an excuse for drunken local ol' bors to demand money from villagers.
"Bull Shaving" were normally held at Whitsun and involved picking the hairiest
ol' bull in the village and six of the strongest 'ol bors to do the job.
The bull were dressed in ribbons and finery and led through the village by
the Rector; the 'ol bors running ahead, door to door, collecting money for
the poor of the parish. Once the party had reached the green opposite The
Skaters, the bull would be tethered to four stakes with leather straps so
as not to cause too much discomfort to the animal. The half dozen ol bors
would then gently divest the bull of it's
Fred finished his drink and poured another one. He looked across at Fiona
and Yaxley, who for the moment was awake. "My God" said Fiona, "That's barbaric
! No wonder they stopped it. I'm surprised that it was ever allowed in the
first place. I've read lots of books about the Fens and never heard about
such an horrific thing". Yaxley took another gulp on his water and turned
to Fiona; "Yeah, but they used to do some bloody strange things in those
days, didn't they ? I 'spose at one point people thought Witch dunking was
an excellent form of local justice". Fred looked across at Farcett and said,
"You're very wise young man, although not wise enough to know what you're
drinking limit is". Yaxley's cheeks coloured slighty and he replied, "I don't
think I'll ever be as wise as an old Fen Tiger like you, Fred. I 'spose that
story's done the rounds in your family, hasn't it ? You don't need books
for information, it's all passed down. Father to son". Ricketts gave a
mischievous grin and took another sip of whisky. "No, you're right. I didn't
read that in a book, but I also didn't hear it from my Dad. In fact..."
and he began to laugh...'I only bloody made it up while I were pouring out
my drink. Yew should hev seen your faces!"
Comments to Collyinfo
outer
coat, using cut throat razors; a skill they were taught by Amos Woodbridge
of Main Street. Once the bull were clean shaven, it were covered up in the
colourful "Bull Monday" waistcoat which were knitted by the W.I in Ealham.
Unfortunately, "Bull Shaving" became unpopular when modern ways took hold
and it were thought to be demeaning to the animals. However, people in the
village yewst to point out that it were never done in winter, 'cos that woulder
bin cruel"...
The prologue -
Episode One -
Episode 2 -
Episode 3 -
Episode 4 -
Episode 5 -
Episode 6 -
Episode 7 -
Episode 8 -
Episode 9 -
Episode 10 -
Episode 11-
Episode 12 -
Episode 13 -
Episode 14 -
Episode 15 -
Episode 16 -
Episode 17 -
Episode 18 -
Episode 19 -
Episode 20 -
Episode 21 -
Episode 22 -
Episode 23 -
Episode 24 -
Episode 25 -
Episode 26 -
Episode 27 -
Episode 28 -
Episode 29 -
Episode 30 -
Episode 31 -
Episode 32 -
Episode 33 -
Episode 34 -
Episode 35 -
Episode 36 -
Episode 37 -
Episode 38 -
Episode 39 -
Episode 40 -
Episode 41 -
Episode 42 -
Episode 43 -
Episode 44 -
Episode 45 -
Episode 47 -
Cast List and Episode Index