The Whitsun Song of Whaddon

One of Whaddon’s claims to fame is its Whitsun Song which was sung all around the village to celebrate the festival of Whitsun.

Before 2005, the last performance was thought to have taken place in 1937 to celebrate the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. In 1956 a recording was made of an interview with Thomas Coningsby (at the ripe old age of 82) who describes the way the singers went around the village carrying branches of green oak, culminating with dancing at the ‘club rooms’.

On a beautiful sunny Sunday in May 2005 we revived the tradition. Six sides of morris performers took part in a long procession through the village. On Sunday 3 June this year, to vary things a bit, there will be two shorter processions from both ends of the village, meeting at the church in time for the special Whitsun service to which everyone is welcome.

The evening before there was a lively Folk Evening in the village hall, involving some dancing, some singing and some music. It was a fun evening enjoyed by everyone who came. This year's folk evening will be on Saturday 4 June.

For more information contact Helen Strudwick (tel. 207434 or email ).

For photos of last year, see the Devil's Dyke Morris Men's site

Read this more detailed article on the history of the song.