STOKE REVEL 1866 and 1981

Althought Stoke St. Mary, unlike its neighbours Thurlbear and Staple Fitzpaine, cannot claim the dignity of a medieval fair, Stoke Revel has strong roots in a more recent history. A newspaper report (below) of 1866 gives an early description of the event, which appears by that time to have been well-established in the village calendar. In 1873 Edward Jeboult first referred to it as a revel, noting that it was held annually on the Monday after the 8th September - evidently as a harvest celebration. But somewhere beyond the span of living memory, Stoke Revel disappeared from view, waiting until today, the 8th August 1981, for its modern revival. Sources: Tom Mayberry and M. V. McArthur

Brian Crudge, Headmaster of Thurlbear School doing a broom dance with Derek Parsons. Saturday 8th August, 1981

STOKE ST MARY - Annual Races and Diversions from The Somerset County Gazette, 15th September, 1866

The village of Stoke was more than usually alive last Monday afternoon on the occasion of the annual races and sports, which took place in a field of Mr. C. Jacobs the Hon. Sec., by whom the affair had been got up. The day selected was not the most favourable for such diversions, heavy showers of rain falling, which were relieved, however, by some fitful gleams of sunshine. A course had been marked out around a field, and could easily be seen by all present; but the field sloped up, and on coming down the incline the turning at the bottom was somewhat dangerous. The horses were announced to be in the field by 1 o'clock but the races themselves did not commence till half-past 3. By that time the attendance of persons was tolerably numerous, a good sprinkling having come out from Taunton. There were the usual accompaniments to this kind of sport. Several gingerbread, peppermint and nut stalls had been erected, and the invitation to "crack 'em" and "try 'em afore you buy 'em" was very frequent. "Aunt Sally" found a large number of persons willing to try their chance at "breaking the clay at three sticks a penny". Aspiring juveniles took their degrees at "shooting galleries" and not a few patronised the tent presided over by those who are not amongst that class of persons who would "rob the poor man of his beer". The occupants of this tent had likewise the privilege of listening to the sweet strains of a barrel organ, with tambourine and vocal accompaniments. The "grand stand" consisted of a waggon, drawn up near the winning post. Two of the runners of horses, Messrs. Styling and Brook, were from Taunton; the judge was Mr. Sherring; Mr. Harman was the starter, and Mr. Baker was referee. Following the horse-racing there was flat racing for men and boys followed. Some petticoat racing, for crinolened and various other articles, afterwards took place, and the sports were kept up till nightfall.