With June bursting out all over, the festivities of midsummer are obviously in everyone's mind yet, most people will still be looking forward to summer arriving let alone be half gone.

Celebration of the summer solstice, Alban Heruin, Light of the Shore, call it what you will, is a solar celebration, with the actual day of celebration determined by the Sun itself. Thousands of years ago, the solstice day was accurately forecast each year by Celtic astronomers and on the day, all could witness the highest point of achievement attained by the Father-Sun-God.

It was a day for sharing, for feasts, for hospitality; giving as well as receiving. The ancient customs and festivities associated with the summer solstice have been an influence in Devon, and the kingdom, since pre-Christian times. From this day forward the strength of the sun would diminish so, it was clear to the Druids that to help the sun they needed more light; fire-light.

Mid-summer bonfires were lit on the hilltops, and such fires continued to be lit each year until well into the last century but, when Christianity was introduced these, pagan, summer celebrations became equated with the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist; significantly different from most 'Saint's' days, it commemorates the birth of St. John, rather than his death.

Centuries of custom and tradition were not lost when it came to altering the festivities of mid-summer. Ancient beliefs in the use of fire were not going to be relinquished easily; if at all.

Knowing the longest day, the ancients were also aware that the strength of their Sun-god diminished thereafter; and built fires to provide him with extra strength. The survival and revival of the Sun-god by the Celts, and those who went before them, started on mid-summer day

As the fires continued to burn down through the centuries, many reasons were given for their lighting; to burn out evil, provide protection from witches, protect animals and crops, ensure fertility and provide prosperity. Some reasons make sense; animals were driven through the ash and dying embers to preserve them from the murrain. A far from unusual method of gaining protection. Disease might diminish in the flames of purifying fire but can young men be strengthened by leaping though the flames ?

People certainly leaped and cavorted around bon-fires lit on many a village green, the Devon game of "Leaping o'er a Midsummer bonfire" is mentioned in 'Garden of Delight', dated 1658. The custom is known to have continued long after that time and while people danced around beacon-fires blazing upon the hilltops on the longest day of the year, the value of the fires for signaling could hardly have been high.

Midsummer fires have been known throughout Europe since before recorded history began, the knowledge of them striding back into pre-history; and fire festivals still survive.

Laws were introduced to put a stop to disorderly conduct in and around churches; the Statutes of Winchester, 1285, included a ban on fairs and markets being held in churchyards but, in Devon at least, church holidays and Church Ales continued alongside and sometimes together with other celebrations, markets, fairs, and festivals; the foundation of Devon 'Revels' were laid.

In the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth, bull-baiting and bear-baiting were an accepted feature of fairs, often enjoyed on a Sunday despite the Queen's command that 'the holyday should be kept according to God's will and pleasure in hearing the word of God, and in private and public prayer.'

When Charles I revived "The Book Of Sports", which encouraged games and sports on Sundays, the meetings called Wakes, Church-Ales, Bid-Ales, Clerk-Ales, and, to Devonians, the all important Revels, he commanded the clergy to read it to their congregation.

In Exeter, Bishop Hall did not enforce the King's command but his clergy encouraged the continuation of Sunday rural festivals and festivities because these events offered opportunities for families to gather together, for differences to be settled, charitable work to be undertaken, and were events generally enjoyed, by the entire community.

Despite the attempt by the Westminster Assembly in 1644 to forbid the celebration of church festivals and anniversaries the country folk of Devon retained their "Revels", quite often also retaining the Sunday connection.

In many areas the first Sunday after Midsummer's day became the day to star the Revels, which lasted for a week. A barrel of ale, and Revel Cake made with dark flour, currants, and caraway seeds, were placed at the church gate to await those leaving the Sunday service. Amusements and entertainment ensued, wrestling forming a chief feature for which money was raised by subscription for prizes. Over the centuries, the importance of Revels diminished, yet even today they are still to be found, albeit a pale shadow of their former glory, but still serving the community. Belstone Revels continued until quite recently, as a day event only. The event continues but the name has changed.

South Tawton's latter-day version the ancient Revels, continued close to midsummer until around the end of the last century when they died out. Many people will still remember children dancing in the lane, goods for sale to raise money to help others and, significantly, a whole range of foods for tasting served within the church of St Andrew . The goodwife of old, and the maids, lost to the mists of memory, had their counterparts in South Tawton parish until so recently, continuing traditions that had lasted a thousand years, or more, through summer months when festivals and fairs thrived and flourished as the customs of ancient days continued to mean something to the local people.

A worthy attempt to introduce, something similar again that deserves support is being tried on June 25 th when children country dancing, puddings being enjoyed in church, entertainment, games and sales combine to provide pleasure to parishioners and visitors while fund-raising for the church takes up an afternoon as a Church Event. The echoes of the ancient Revels can't be ignored and, with support given to ensure the success of this event, may such midsummer pleasures be restored and continue.

© Roy & Ursula Radford