Worlington Revel

Research into Worlington Revel revealed the following information through newspaper articles.

In 1847, the press report ‘At Worlington Revel, great liberality was exercised towards the poor the gentry and yeomanry………. The ground selected was a meadow adjoining the river Dart, where spacious seated ring was made; and at two o’clock in the afternoon thirty tea-kettles were suspended over a large fire on the ground; merry peals were rung on the musical bells; and an excellent band of music from Witheridge attended. At four o’clock, sixty men, labourers, partook of an excellent repast of beef, bread, and cider: and about three hundred women, boys, and girls, were provided with tea, cake, and buns.’ In 1871, ‘The festive season commonly called ” The Revel” came round again and brought with it its many enjoyments, some innocent, too many others otherwise. It generally believed that these seasons are intended as the anniversary of the consecration of the parish churches, but alas! like many truly good old primitive customs, they became corrupted, and now instead of being kept as east dedication of the Temple, in very many instances it seems more like the feast of Bacchus.’ In 1874 ‘The wheat in West Worlington, was above average crop, but spring corn far below average. Swedes and common turnips tolerably good, but mangolds scarce, being mostly eaten by the flies, as they appeared above ground in the dry. Apples a good crop. A very large picnic was held at the Stucley Arms. The revel took place but being in the midst of harvest it was not kept as a holiday, and the inhabitants of this parish and East Worlington were determined to have merry meeting when more pleasurable time presented itself. The varied amusements took place. The ringers, who are noted for their ” round’ and change ” ringing, rang the West Worlington six bells merrily the occasion.’  However, in 1881 such enjoyment turned to conflict. The Rev. C. W. Molony, the Rector of West Worlington reported ‘We are exposed to the greatest outrages on the part of the bell-ringers here, aided by associates from the neighbouring parish. All this is owing to my having endeavoured to put a stop to the bell-ringing during what is called the Revel week, which occurs yearly in the early part of August. My reason for so doing was that during that week there is such a great amount of drunkenness, even on the part of some of those ringing the church bells.’ Despite this the Revel appears to have continued and in 1938 ‘Sunday was kept at Worlington as Revel, or Dedication, Sunday, and was marked by the introduction civic service, which it is hoped to hold annually The Parish Council attended morning service in West Worlington Church as a representative body the Rector (Major the Rev. T. H, E. Woods) met the Council under the quaint old-world gateway, and the Chairman the Council (Mr. W. J. Lake) led the procession into church whilst “All people that on earth dwell” was sung’.