Our next gathering will be Holy Communion on Plough Sunday, 12th January.

Plough Sunday is thought to be a very ancient festival which was revived by the Victorians. Traditionally it is celebrated on the first Sunday after The Epiphany. In the medieval period, when there was only one plough in each village, the village plough was brought into the church for a blessing before ploughing began on Plough Monday. By Victorian times, when many farms owned their own plough, a representative plough was brought into church for the Priest to bless the plough.

After the blessing, the plough was traditionally pulled through the village led by a Fool and a 'Betsy' (a boy dressed as a woman). The procession stopped at as many pubs and friendly houses as possible for revellers to demand drinks. Pennies were also collected on the route. Anyone not paying a penny was likely to find a furrow cut across their land by morning.

Refreshments will be served, followed by thirty minutes, or so, of delights from the Plough Stots:

Dance --- Music --- Singing --- Tales --- Dialect

Holy Communion on 1st Sunday of month at St. Mary's Goathland. Refreshments served afterwards. Al are welcome to stay for coffee, cake and conversation.