Post by Graveyardbride on Aug 9, 2014 18:19:16 GMT -5
Nottinghamshire village recreates ancient ‘coffin walk’
BRINSLEY, Nottinghamshire, England – Village parishioners traced the steps of an ancient “coffin walk” as part of an annual tradition which honors their ancestors. Participants were out in force Saturday to walk the route taken hundreds of years ago when parishioners transported coffins from the chapel of rest at Brinsley Church to Greasley (above) where they were buried. The tradition was restored about a decade ago in a bid to remember days gone by.
Organiser Stan Smith said: “The coffin walk was revived about 10 or 12 years ago. Before the present church in Brinsley was built, the nearest parish church was in Greasley, which was miles away across the fields. “Whenever there was a burial, the coffins had to be carried across the fields. We wanted to revive that tradition to make it obvious how people in years gone by had to cope. There’s a bit of humor in it as well – various stories over the years tell us they used to stop along the way for alcoholic refreshments and by the time they got to the church, they were pretty merry. That’s obviously all folklore, but I bet it did happen!”
The walkers took on a gentle two-mile route – even carrying a miniature coffin for authenticity. “Believe it or not it came from a dolls house catalogue!”, said Stan. “It’s about four inches long and there’s even a body in a shroud inside it if you look closely enough. We really can call it a coffin walk now that we’ve got a coffin!”
The coffin walkers were met at Greasley where a short service and ceremony took place around the grave of the former joint vicar of Brinsley and Greasley, Reverend John Hides.
Walk leader Melvyn Sellars, 71, said: “This is about trying to keep up with the heritage of the village. That’s something we shouldn’t lose sight of. It was a vicar here who decided previously to re-instigate it. We’ve taken the coffin with us every time, except on the very first walk. I have to make sure it’s kept safe until it comes out again the next year!”
His wife Christine, 69, added: “The walk is lovely when the weather’s nice, but when it’s raining it makes you realize how arduous it would have been all those years ago.”
Jeff Catherines, 69, of Eastwood, said: “I’ve walked this walk over a number of years. I just like the tradition of it, and think it’s nice to keep traditions alive.”
Source: Ellen Cullen, The Nottingham Post, August 9, 2014.