Barrel race proves to be hot subject

Onlookers watch the Tar Barrels

If ever there was a tradition in Devon that could be described as "hot", then it must surely be one custom carried out in Ottery St Mary.

Ottery is a town steeped in history, tradition and folklore. It celebrates its history every year during Pixie Day (the Saturday nearest to the longest day) and is also famously the birthplace of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

However, the custom of the Tar Barrels literally brings a glow to the town.

The annual event, which is held on Guy Fawkes night (5th November), involves people racing through the streets of the town, carrying flaming wooden barrels of burning tar on their backs.

Hundreds of people converge on the town to witness the sight.

Barrel Rituals

The internationally-renowned custom is said to have originated in the 17th century, though the exact time is not known.

Another fact that is not entirely known is the answer to the question "Why do it?" However, the opinion that has the most consensus is that the tradition began as a pagan ritual that would cleanse the streets of evil spirits. Others say it all started as a result of smouldering barrels that were placed in shops for the purpose of fumigation.

The workings of the event are quite easy to understand.

Each of Ottery's central pubs sponsors a single barrel. In the weeks prior to the day of the event, the barrels are soaked with tar.

The barrels are lit outside each of the pubs in turn, and, once the flames start to take hold, they are hoisted up onto people's backs, who then take the barrels from one pub to the next in a form of flaming pub crawl.

Barrel carriers take the weight on their shoulders for as long as they can, whereupon they put the barrel down for the next member of the "team" to take over.

In most cases, generations of the same family carry the barrels and take great pride in doing so. The more experienced teams are even capable of transferring the barrel from one carrier to the next without putting it on the ground.

The barrels are also rolled up and down the streets and through the main square until they disintegrate.

The streets and alleys around the routes of the barrels are always packed with people, all of whom are eager to feel the lick of the barrels’ flames.

Barrel Supremacy

Around 17 barrels are lit over the course of the evening, and it’s not just the men of the town who bear the heated load.

In the afternoon and early evening, there are women's and boys' barrels, but as the evening progresses the barrels get larger. By the last rounds, they will often weigh at least 30kg.

A great sense of camaraderie exists between the barrel rollers, despite the fact that they tussle constantly for supremacy of the barrel.

The tar barrels event was traditionally held after the annual carnival procession. However, more recently the two events have been held a few days apart.

Many say it is an incredible night to remember, especially if you manage to acquire the most highly-prized souvenir of the evening - one of the metal rings from a burnt-out barrel.