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Home > Uncategorized > Burning tar barrels in Ottery St Mary

Burning tar barrels in Ottery St Mary

By Caroline King - October 31, 2017Posted in : Uncategorized

Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels

The burning barrels in Ottery St Mary (Photo: Lewis Clarke)

When: 4th November 2017

Where: Ottery St Mary, Devon

£: Free to watch

What is it?

This Guy Fawkes Night, watch burning tar barrels being carried through Ottery St Mary in Devon.

The tradition of The Tar Barrels in Ottery St Mary probably dates back to the 17th century, but the exact origins are unknown.  The event takes place every year with the barrels being lit outside the town’s pubs, before being carried aloft through the town.

Youths, women and men all carry the barrels, which weigh up to 30kg.  The honour of carrying of the barrels is usually passed on through generations of the same families. At the end of the evening the barrels help form a bonfire by the River Otter.

More info: www.tarbarrels.co.uk

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