Big Satdee

Friends P and A had told me that I should come over for “Big Satdee” (as the locals call it), so this morning I found myself travelling to Tideswell. It’s been Wakes Week in the village, and today is the busiest day.

The well dressing took place earlier in the week, and as is usual for these displays petals, seeds, leaves and other natural materials are used for the display. The lady who made the display was married in Ilkley church 50 years ago, so that’s the basis for her design (extra).

In the afternoon it was carnival time with a parade through the village, which was great fun. Most of the village must have been out to participate in the carnival or to watch. After the parade a lot of people retired to the pubs. The extra is the scene outside The George.

And then at 10pm, it was time for the torchlight parade through the village (the image is the procession emerging from the gathering point). A brass band led, repeat playing the “Tideswell Processional” (a refrain apparently peculiar to Tideswell). Behind, people carrying torches, and then at a certain point in the tune everyone else jumping in the air, waving a hanky and shouting “hey”. It all became a bit mesmeric, I began to think I was in a scene from “The Wickerman”. And the tune became a real ear worm, I was humming it until I fell to sleep at the end of the evening.