Customs Collection (#11)

Children at Honiton, Devon, gather hot money once a year on the towns fair-day that is, if they find it not too hot to handle. This tradition has been carried on in Honiton since the 12th century

Throwing hot pennies to children at Honiton Fair Devon. The Hot Pennies ceremony takes place annually on the first Tuesday after 19 July in the High Street of the town

May day at Benefield, Near Kettering, Northampton. Our Picture Shows: The crowning of the May King and Queen before the dancing round the May pole at Benefield, 1st May 1945 P029134

It was a country wedding. And in the church all solemn as the vicar blessed the wedding cake and wine. But once the wedding ceremony was over the vicar the Rev

Costers Thanksgiving Service, London, 3rd October 1954

Pearly Kings and Queens arrive at St Marts Church Walworth with offerings for the " Pearlies" Harvest Festival. From all over London they went in their " State" horse drawn

The tutti-men climb a ladder to get the traditional kiss the window during the Hock-tide festival at Hungerford. April 1955 P029159

Spring festival at Hindhead. American soldiers tug their hand at the Marypole with the kids at the spring festival. June 1942

Throwing hot pennies to children at Honiton Fair, Devon. August 1943

Every Good Friday, the road outside the Rose Cottage Inn in the village Alciston, Sussex is closed for the villagers to take part in a traditional skipping contest. April 1952 C1848-001

Children in the hamlet of Checkendon, Berks. doing their annual Maypole Dance on the village green. June 1959 P005019

Training for the donkey race at Wivelsfield in Sussex. Circa 1960

In old-world Ripon the curfew still tolls each dying day and a horn is blown four times in the market square to bid the townsmen rest. Samuel Woods is the new blower

The giant Christmas tree and display in Halle Square, in the The Arndale Centre, Manchester. 5th December 1987

Manchester City Centre crowded with Christmas shoppers on a wet Saturday December afternoon. 19th December 1959

Customs: Clipping the yews: Every September the children of the Gloucestershire village of Painswick embrace their church by linking hands and forming a ring round it

Goathland Plough Yorkshire County dance team performing ancient ceremony of dancing before every house in village of Goathland, Yorks

Carol Singers at Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire. November 1952 C5558

A local brand of explosive, known as Fenny poppers, have been set off every November 11th since 1730 by the townspeople of Fenny Stratford, a lively village in Buckinghamshire

The "Sack Look"is back in fashion against amongst girls of the University of
The " Sack Look" is back in fashion against amongst girls of the University of the South West. Pictured are some of the students, who each bought a potato sack

All together in the floral dance: One of Britains oldest customs, the Helston Furry (or Floral) Dance, took place on Thursday, when dancers skipped their way through all the main streets

The old sport of tilting at the Quintain, one popular throughout medieval England, was revived at Offham, Maidstone, this afternoon

The annual Battle of Flowers carnival held on the Channel Island of Jersey. Horses made of plants on display. 5th August 1958

Paul Irvine, trainee manager at Tesco s, found himself trying his pancake as a hat when Birmingham comedian and actor Don Maclean presented him with his prize for winning the mens Pancake Race

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Scarlet Tunic of the Irish Guards, leaves Buckingham Palace on police horse, Doctor, with Prince Philip riding

Queen Elizabeth II holds her youngest son Prince Edward in her arms as she stands with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh

St Patricks Day Parade, Birmingham, 19th March 1967

St Patricks Day Service, Birmingham, 17th March 1970

St Patricks Day March, Birmingham, 16th March 1969

A pancake race at Newcastle Central Station on 15th February 1983

The Shrove Tuesday Jiff Lemons Pancake Race in Clayton Street, Newcastle on 21st February 1979

Staff from Northumbrian Waters offices at Gosforth, Newcastle. raised 113 for the Evening Chronicle cervical cancer appeal by holding a fancy dress Shrove Tuesday Pancake race 27 February 1979

The traditional Royal Shrovetide Football Match, a "medieval football"
The traditional Royal Shrovetide Football Match, a " medieval football" game played annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in the town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire

Coventry Festival: On with the clowns... Lord Mayor Winnie Lakin with Mary Baxter (left
Coventry Festival: On with the clowns...Lord Mayor Winnie Lakin with Mary Baxter (left) Jeff Elves, Dave Grove and Pamela Harrison. 2nd August 1986

1975 Coventry Carnival Queen seen here with her two maids of honour. 5th April 1975

The 1984 Coventry Carnival procession seen here passing through Broadgate 9th June 1984

Coventrys Coronation Carnival procession with the main tableau carrying the carnival Queen Miss Joy Stoney and her maids of honour in Warwick Road 1953

The Unicorn Social Club float seen here in Coventry Carnivals 1986 procession. 14th June 1986

Councillor Weaver with one of the youngsters from Wisteria Lodge on the merry-go-round. 2nd June 1982

1933 Coventry Carnival procession 24th June 1933

Children of all ages and backgrounds line the route of the 1973 Hillfields Carnival. 8th June 1973

In safe hands of the law... Jason Lawson (left) aged 10 and Scott Marsdon aged 3
In safe hands of the law...Jason Lawson (left) aged 10 and Scott Marsdon aged 3, take a fairground ride with Superintendent Noel Edwards of Fletchamstead Police Station at the Coventry Memorial Park

Market trader selling his wares at The Crock Fair on Hearsall Common, Coventry 27th May 1974

Charity collectors in Ascot racegoers outfits with outlandish hats charm the crowds waiting for the Coventry Carnival for their small change. 16th June 1986

Councillor Weaver chauffeurs Timmy Atkinson, aged 10, from Wisteria Lodge on the dodgems. 2nd June 1982

Audience participation was the name of the game when Palfi the clown took the stage in Belgrade Square, Coventry. With a supporting cast of more than 20 children Palfi entertained the crowd with his

1970 Coventry Carnival Queen seen here with her two maids of honour. 9th April 1970

The Top Shop float in the shape of a canal narrow boat seen here taking part in the 1981 Coventry Carnival. 13th June 1974

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