Flaming kids. Flaming otters.

November 5, 2005 3:21 PM

The Tar Barrels of Ottery St Mary.
posted by nylon (9 comments total)

"Pagan traditions"? Heh. These don't suddenly spring up in the 17th century. Some accounts say the Ottery thing originated in 1688, the year of arrival of William of Orange. These British fire festivals generally have anti-Catholic roots. At the Lewes Bonfire Festival, they still burn an effigy of the Pope.
posted by raygirvan at 3:55 PM on November 5, 2005

I would love to see the barrel running. Proper mental.
posted by Frasermoo at 3:58 PM on November 5, 2005

Well that looks like a good way to get first degree burns.
posted by alexst at 4:00 PM on November 5, 2005

exactly, god forbid 'Health & Safety' poke their noses in.
posted by Frasermoo at 4:07 PM on November 5, 2005

But Fraser, as evidenced in the fourth link, they did put up a sign: "WARNING Flaming Tar Barrels"
posted by Pink Fuzzy Bunny at 6:51 PM on November 5, 2005

We need more pagan fire rituals in the states.
posted by iloveit at 1:54 AM on November 6, 2005

I've just added "Flaming Tar Barrels" to my list of potential band names.

Love the warning sign. Delightfully minimalistic succinctitude.
posted by Enron Hubbard at 3:58 AM on November 6, 2005

Of course, they need all the tar barrels they can eat this week - the village flooded following heavy rain.
posted by scaryduck at 7:17 AM on November 6, 2005

I've just added "Flaming Tar Barrels" to my list of potential band names.

Hee. Before clicking, I did think this might be a post about a lost classic folk album, maybe on Dandelion, or Sain.
posted by jack_mo at 8:36 AM on November 6, 2005