CHIPPING CAMPDEN'S SCUTTLEBROOK WAKE...

Chipping Campden’s Scuttlebrook Wake…

Like a monster truck wedged inside a tunnel,

The fairground was jammed between dwellings,

Monstrously;

Rides wrenched folks to strain harnesses,

Yanking long hair as if in a gale,

Callously.

And a pop-dance beat rammed its base 

Like steam though a funnel…

Like heritage reborn, the Morris Men skipped,

Fiddle, flute and melodeon gelling

Passively;

Sticks being rapped and cloths being waved between passes,

Linking lean limbs, the Scuttlebrook Wake to regale,

Impressively.

And the folksy tunes haunted the space,

As spectators, spellbound, looked on gripped…

Pete Ray

3rd June, 2017

Had no idea the Wake was on until I arrived in Chipping Campden and saw a funfair jammed in the town’s lovely main street, rapping out its pop music, offering rides, thrills and fast food…

In the market place, the Wake Queen sat, along with town dignitaries on a sloping ‘stage’ and a crowd watched as Morris Men danced to traditional music…

Me? Drank coffee outside Huxley’s…