Folk Traditions and Rituals #9, #10

#9.
Custom: Braughing Old Man’s Day
About: A man called Matthew Wall, in the 16th century, supposedly had a lucky escape from being buried alive, when the pallbearers slipped on some wet leaves as they were carrying his coffin to Braughing church. The fall jolted him awake, and he lived to be an old man. A bequest left in his will commemorates that day – local school children sweep the path down to the church, and the current owner of his cottage paying the church £1 every year.

#10.
Custom: Harvest of the Sea Festival Service
About: Traditional harvest festival ceremony near the old site of Billingsgate Fish Market. A fishmonger stall is set up inside the church, and the wares are blessed by the pastor. The service itself is carefully curated, with fishy verses and songs about the sea.