Famine at the Feast…
Morley Feast has returned to the Town, sort of. Morley Feast was the local name for the annual mill shutdown, known as Wakes Weeks over the Pennines in Lancashire. It has been revitalised by the local chamber of trade and there is a fair in Scatcherd Park.
Today, Community stalls were able to be set up and there was also a Punch & Judy/Childrens entertainer and a Falconry display. David and I set up our Gazebo for Morley Community Radio at 10:30 this morning (we were supposed to remove cars by 11am) but when we returned at 12:30 it was drizzling and no-one around apart from the half a dozen stall holders so we were able to bring our car back on and tuck it behind the stand. Over time the drizzle got heavier and then started coming in at an angle, “that fine rain that soaks you through”. David had brought lots of toys to give away but they were getting rather soggy so we put them back in the boot of the car. Morleians stayed away in droves- we only gave away one leaflet and that was to the stall next door!
By 1:30pm we had had enough and packed up. David waved to the other stalls as we passed and they seemed to be packing up as well. Let us hope next Sunday isn’t a washout as well.
By an amazing co-incidence we experienced the same kind of rain at our school’s gala, and were similarly wet through watching WoT Junior I and II play in the football tournament.
Comment by Womble On Tour — June 21, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
That would have been a delight to witness, Ian.
Comment by jameshigham — June 22, 2008 @ 10:07 am
As I remember it: Morley Feast week in the 60s and 70s wasn’t really about a complete shutdown of the factories etc.
Morely Feast was a big fair on the ground by Victoria School to the left of Asquith Avenue. Of course, they paved paradise and put up a housing lot.
Of course, in those days - when I was a kid - it NEVER rained and we never got wet.
Comment by John — June 22, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
In Newcastle, we had The Hoppings on the Town Moor, originally a temperance festival. It never rained then either! ;->
Comment by Shades — June 22, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
I went to Newcastle Uni and spent many happy hours at the Hoppings as well!. I don’t remember it raining either!
Comment by John — June 22, 2008 @ 9:44 pm