Nottinghamshire Guardian (1909b)
Main Variant |
Transcription
|
PLOUGH MONDAY.
Last week I printed in this column in an abbrevi- ated form the very interesting testimony of a Notts. lady as to the vigorous survival of dramatic Plough Monday observances, not many years ago, in the neighbourhood of Bingham. We all feel that with advancing times, these quaint customs, handed down from bygone generatins, are bound to die out, as anachronisms, unless, indeed, like modem May Day festivals, they be artificially nurtured on a transformed basis. It should, how- ever, be a labour of love to record late survivals of dying customs, and likewise, whenever possible, to set down the precise or the approximate dates of their final disuse. Folk-plays do not take rank among such performances as are found reported in the dramatic departments of the newspapers, and oonsequently are liable to be overlooked even in the few places where they survive. It would be interesting to learn whether Plough Monday ob- servances still flourish in Notts., or when they were discontinued in the different districts.
PLOUGH MONDAY IN EAST NOTTINGHAM.
Whether any trace of the custom yet survives within the city boundaries I am not for the moment aware. But that it was not dead in the Carlton-road district a quarter of a century ago I can personally testify. It was then, how- ever, a suvival in little more than name, its observance being confined to boys of school age, and, the dramatic element being wholly absent. It was called Plough Bullockin (a term that must have originated in the days of plough oxen), and of course transpired in the evening. Bands of boys, the number immaterial, would black their faces and equip themselves with old tin-pans, or anything else calculated to create a din, and, with the impromptu instruments in full operation, would solicit contributions at shop-doors. This they probably did as much for their own amusement as from any expectation of gain. At least I do not remember the clamour being other than unwelcomely received, and peremptorily dis- missed, though the boys may have been, in some cases, bribed to pass on. No doubt they also found it essential to keep a sharp look for the police, who would be unlikely to favour the sentimental aspect of the business.
TWELFTH NIGHT.
Another small matter, I assocate so far as my own recollection goes, with some 30 years ago, is connected with Twelfth Night. Before and at this date the windows of pastry-oooks and con- fectioners, in the Sneiinton district at least, used to be furnished with an augmentation to their every- day attractions in the shape of what were called "Twelfth Cakes." These, some of my youthful companions at kead, I remember, considered a great delicacy. They were diamond shaped, sprinkled over on top with tiny red sweets, or "hundreds and thousands," the latter I believe being underlaid by icing, and sold at one half- penny each. These confections appear to have silently slipped out of memory, though I cannot supply even the approximate date of their passing. |
|