I have to ask (sorry for thread hijack), what's with the horse head things? Is this some Welsh custom that has thus far passed me by? I'm genuinely intrigued.
sheep I could understand
no idea with the horse head!
I have to ask (sorry for thread hijack), what's with the horse head things? Is this some Welsh custom that has thus far passed me by? I'm genuinely intrigued.
I have to ask (sorry for thread hijack), what's with the horse head things? Is this some Welsh custom that has thus far passed me by? I'm genuinely intrigued.
Theres are a label that i have made
I have to ask (sorry for thread hijack), what's with the horse head things? Is this some Welsh custom that has thus far passed me by? I'm genuinely intrigued.
I don't label mine yet, but when I do, I will be sticking plain paper labels on with MILK. Apparently, it sticks well and more importantly,the labels come off very easily in a simple water wash. I reckon I will stick them on, let them dry and then scribble the brew and date details on each bottle.
I can't use the cap code method because I have swing top bottles.
It's the Mari Lwyd - the grey mare (or Mary) - which is a traditional Welsh Christmastime luck-visiting tradition. It's basically a horses skull on a pole with the bearer covered under a sheet which is led from door to door. Traditionally there was a singing competition with the occupiers of the house/inn and if the Mari's party won they gained entrance and received drinks and food. Actually it's the singing bit that's specifically Welsh - similar horses head trads. survive in several parts of England - on the Welsh borders and Derbyshire/S.Yorks. i think there they're part of mummers plays. In times past it was widespread over England and there are similar traditions in Europe too.
We've been doing it for 20 odd years with our Morris team. It was very rare back then but there's been a huge revival. Mid January there's a Wassail and Mari Lwyd event in Chepstow we always attend - 9 different Maris this year.
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