Happy New Year!

Happy New Year folks!

Last night Hilary and I took the youngest girl over to Allendale Town to watch the ancient tradition of carrying tar barrels through the village, a spectacular event which attracts visitors from across the North East.  This little “hoodie” is ours!

The barrels are carried on the heads of “Guisers” a role often handed down through local families and much honoured.  After the parade the flaming barrels are thrown onto a huge bonfire in the market square, marking the turn of the new year.

The Guisers traditionally wore a standard costume but today there seems to be a trend towards a less “conventional” dress!

Being New Year there is of course a romantic element, at one point we thought that this couple may need oxygen!

As Hilary will testify, even short people need to take pictures!  Somewhere in there is the eldest girl with her friends……

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