Whitsun and Whaddon

Whaddon has a Whitsun tradition seemingly unlike any other in the UK. At some point in the past, a practice developed of men going round the village singing a special song around the village on and around Whitsun time. These men held aloft oak branches, and waved them at various points.

This tradition fell out of use in the early 20th century. However, knowledge of it was kept alive in the village, and it was revived in a slightly updated form in 2005. A summary of what is known about the song and how it was revived will be found on this web page:

Reviving the Whaddon Whitsun Song

Photographs and notes on the different years are available as follows:

2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 (to come)

The date of Whit Sunday varies each year, as it is tied into Easter and Lent. It is very important to remember that it is NOT necessarily the late May Bank Holiday weekend (still erroneously called 'Whitsun' by many). Future dates are:

Sunday 12 June 2011

Sunday 28 May 2012 (will coincide with the Bank Holiday!)

Sunday 20 May 2013

Sunday 09 June 2014

Whitsun 2010 -- Another success!

Helen and Nigel Strudwick would like to thank all who took part in the very successful Whitsun Weekend 2010. The weather was unbelievable, and some 70 people turned out for the Folk Evening, and many others watched the Devil's Dyke Morris Men and Manor Mill Morris as they processed around the village. Particular thanks to the Morris sides for coming, to Ken and Iris Green for their support and help, and to all who helped with the organisation!

Photos will follow soon.

Arrangements for 2010--22 and 23 May

The 2010 event will be the sixth so far. A poster describing the principal events has been distributed to every house in Whaddon and to local village magazines and media outlets.

The weekend has two main parts. For further information, email whitsun [at] whaddon.org.

Saturday 22 May 2010

A folk evening in the Village Hall starting at 7:30pm.

Tickets will cost £9/£7 concessions, and this price includes music, food and a licensed bar. The evening takes the form of a mixture of country dancing, the playing of folk music, and some morris dancing. It also incorporates a performance of the Whitsun Song, and teaching the dance associated with the procession 'Up the Middle and Down the Sides', so that everyone knows them before the Sunday procession. Musicians are encouraged to join in, so if you play an instrument, bring it along and join in!

Sellers will be visiting you shortly! You can also contact by phone the persons named on the poster for the event.

Sunday 23 May 2010

Processions around the village by morris sides taking part in the event, followed by a church service and further dancing at the Golf Centre.

The processions will begin at 10:30 am, the first from Dyers Green, the second from the far end of Meldreth Road. Both will stop at various points to dance, and they will meet at the church. The church service is at 12 noon.

Following the service, activity moves to Whaddon Golf Centre, where this weekend a beer festival is taking place, accompanied by a mini farmers' market and a barbecue. Here there will be more dancing by the morris sides involved.

We look forward to seeing you there. A map of the village with all these places marked will be found below. Click on the map to download a larger PDF version.

Any enquiries about the weekend should be directed to Helen Strudwick on 01223 207434, email whitsun [at] whaddon.org.