Burry Man
South Queensferry, West Lothian
Second Friday in August

In South Queensferry on the day before the annual Ferry Fair, an extraordinary apparition can be seen, walking with great difficulty through the streets of the Royal Burgh. This is the Burry Man, covered from head to foot in burrs and holding in each hand a staff adorned with flowers. His arms are held outright and each is supported by an attendant, who helps to escort the Burry Man on his painful journey throughout the day. The attendants also collect money, as it is thought to be lucky to give to the Burry Man, and help him take liquid sustenance since he cannot do this unaided. His journey begins from the Town Hall, where he has been dressed, and his first call is by tradition on the Provost's House, where he gets his first dram. In all, it is a seven-mile journey around the town, during which the Burry Man utters not a word.

A great deal of work has to go into dressing the Burry Man, not the least part the collecting of burrs sufficient for the task. These are laid out in squares, stuck together on pieces of paper, ready to stick in place when the Burry Man of the day has clad himself in protective clothing, over which he puts combinations, or a vest and long johns. Over his head he pulls a balaclava, or woolly mask, with eye holes and apertures for nose and mouth.

When the burrs have been stuck in place, a flag is tied around his waist, cummerbund-style, and his head is surmounted by a net covered bowler-hat which has been decorated with flowers.

The only qualification for the role of Burry Man is that he has to be native of Queensferry, and he is chosen by the Ferry Fair committee from the applicants who apply for the honour. In return, he must make a visit to inaugurate the Fair, which otherwise wouldn't prosper, it is said. He is usually followed by a band of local children shouting 'Hip, hip, hooray, it's Burry Man's Day!' It is said that his silent presence makes some people nervous; it must also be of considerable relief to the Burry Man when he finishes his tour and is able to strip himself of his burrs and return to normal.

It is not known how the Burry Man was born, though he used also to be seen at Buckie and at Fraserburgh, both fishing ports, in ceremonies thought to be conducive to the herring fishing. Some say it is a novel way of beating the bounds, others that it commemorates the landing of Queen Margaret, from whom the town took its name and whose husband the King once hid nearby from the English, covered in burrs.

It is known that the rite was originally kept by the local fishermen as their own ceremony, as a thanksgiving for a good season and also to secure another one. Whatever the origin, the Burry Man is a much loved figure to the people of South Queensferry.

Grand Wardmote of the Woodmen of Arden
Meriden, Warwickshire
First week in August

The archery competition that takes place at Meriden during the first week of August, at the Woodmen of Arden's Grand Wardmote, lasts for four days. It is the third of the annual wardmotes when archery competitions take place, the others being in June and July.

The Society of the Woodmen of Arden was founded in 1785, though they claim their roots go back much deeper into history. After they established their headquarters in Meriden, which is claimed to be the geographical centre of England, they built their Forest Hall there in 1788. Their number is limited to eighty, and admission is virtually by inheritance, it is said. They wear green frock-coats, a buff waistcoat, white trousers and a green, soft-brimmed shooting hat. Their six-foot yew bows are mostly specially made for them at Meriden and their arrows have their equivalent weight in silver stamped on them as was the medieval practice. Their wardmotes, it is claimed, are descended from the ancient forest court-assemblies, and the competitions keep alive the skills that were once such a vital part of our military heritage.

Hat and Ribbon Race
Inverkeithing, near Dunfermline
First Thursday in August

The quaintly-named Hat and Ribbon Race opens the annual three day fair at Inverkeithing. This is run through the streets of the town and the winner is resented with a hat and a bunch of ribbons.

The fair has been held at Inverkeithing since the Middle Ages, and the race was instituted for the young men who gathered at the fair to hire themselves out: it presumably helped the farmers  to pick out a likely lad. The hat was doubtless for the laddie and ribbons likely for his lassie, and these trophies are carried on halberd of the Burgh Officer to the finishing line, at the head civic procession. It is the provost who has the honour of presenting the prize.

St Bartholomew's Bun Race
St Bartholomew's Hospital, Sandwich,
24 August

The Bartlemas Bun Race for children takes place around the chapel of St Bartholomew's Hospital at Sandwich on St Bartholomew's Day, after various traditional ceremonies ha ' preceded it. Each participant receives a currant bun, while the attendant grown-ups are each given a St Bart's Biscuit, impressed with a copy of the hospital's ancient seal.
St Bartholomew's Hospital is an almshouse for sixteen elderly 'brothers and sisters', and was founded on the spoils, it is said; of a great sea battle on St Bartholomew's Day in 1217, when the ships of the Cinque Ports defeated an invading French fleet. The Mayor of Sandwich attends a memorial service to the hospital  founders on that day and witnesses the selection of the new Master for the coming year, after which the race commencences.  The current custom is thought to replace an earlier one, where St Bartholomew's Dole of bread, cheese and ale was given out which could at an earlier time have been enjoyed by pilgrims
their way to Canterbury.

St Wilfrid's Feast Procession
Ripon, Yorkshire
Saturday before first Monday in August

Ripon's annual fair is opened with a pageant round the city led appropriately by a man dressed up as St Wilfrid, and mounted on a white horse. He is an imposing figure with a large beard, bishop's robes and mitre, and carrying a crozier. The pageant contains an impressive array of floats depicting scenes from the city's history, and on the completion of his tour St Wilfrid is welcomed at the west door of the cathedral by the Dean, whereupon a short service of thanksgiving is held.

The fair has been held annually since 1108, when a royal charter was granted. It was originally on St Wilfrid's Feast Day in April, but later transferred to the present date to coincide with Wilfrid's return from exile in 686. He founded the Minster of Ripon, and in the Middle Ages his effigy used to be borne round the streets at the opening of the fair. This practice was abandoned at the outset of the Reformation, but later continued, as now, with a living representative of the saint. St Wilfrid, who was educated at Lindisfame, is considered to be one of the most important men of the Old English church.