THE annual folk tradition of ‘Blaize and Brigit Night’, which celebrates the folk culture of the ancient Celtic South West, will be continued in Wellington next week.

In 1889, writer Ealing Deane said: ‘until 40 years ago, the festival of Bishop Blaize was regularly celebrated in the town of Wellington on 3 February’.

In the early years of the festival, Wellington wool-combers voted a local man from the wool industry to be the ‘Bishop Blaize’. 

'Bishop Blaize' Conor Kimball and 'St Brigit' Chloe Chandler (right) at last year's 'Blaize n Brigit' night with Oath Swearer the late Richard Fox and Lord Misrule Mr Double Danger.
'Bishop Blaize' Conor Kimball and 'St Brigit' Chloe Chandler (right) at last year's 'Blaize n Brigit' night with Oath Swearer the late Richard Fox and Lord Misrule Mr Double Danger.

Just days before, locals would celebrate Saint Brigit, the Goddess of poetry, smithcraft, healing, the eternal flame, spinners, weavers, and hearth. 

The festival merges with the age-old tradition of wassailing, in which locals gather to bless the orchards and ensure a good harvest.

The 'Blaize and Brigit' night celebrates both of these ancient traditions and will feature demonstrations, recitals, and songs before the Bootstrap Border Morris Team perform dances and music. 

Wellington’s folk music collective will finish the event with a selection of traditional folk songs.

'Blaize and Brigit' night will be held in Wellington's Cottage Inn, Champford Lane, on the February 3, starting at 7.30 pm.