AN ANCIENT tradition that sees Santa kill a king was performed across Wokingham borough throughout the festive season.
The Yateley Mummers – aka Yateley Morris – took their traditional Mummers play to pubs, in Wokingham town centre just before Christmas.
That was followed by a visit to The Queen’s Oak in Finchampstead and Yateley’s Dog and Partridge pub on Boxing Day.
And if that wasn’t enough, the team will make appearance at The Cricketers in Hartley Wintney on New Year’s Day, starting at 1pm.
The play is a traditional Christmas custom that dates back several centuries and is a bit like a pantomime. It sees much silliness as Santa defeats an evil king.
The Queen’s Oak car park, was packed with people who turned out on Boxing Day for the noon performance, which saw a special guest appearance from Doctor Who and K9, and a display of morris dancing.
The group’s squire, Ian Sutherland, spoke to Wokingham Today after The Queen’s Oak performance had finished, but before setting off to The Dog and Partridge.
“This has been the biggest crowd we’ve had for a long time, it’s been great to see everyone in the sunshine,” he said of the audience of The Queen’s Oak, which packed the car park and saw people stand on walls to get a view of all the fun.
“This is an English tradition that we’re proud to keep going,” he continued. “The mummers play has been played for centuries; we don’t know how far back the morris dancing goes, but we think back to the 1400s. We’re keeping a tradition alive, and we enjoy doing it.”
Mr Sutherland felt the pre-Christmas tour had been successful as well.
“That really was excellent,” he said. “The crowds there were pleased to see us, and the landlords were welcoming as well. A great time was had by all of us.”
After the New Year’s Day show, the group will be making preparations for the year ahead. Anyone who has made it their new year’s resolution to join a side would be welcome to join them. They welcome musicians as well as dancers.
“We return to practising on Tuesday, January 3, and welcome new members all the time,” he said.
These sessions run from 8pm to 10pm at Yateley Manor School and no experience is necessary.
For more details, log on to yateleymorrismen.org.uk
