Autumn Fires

Autumn is a time of feasts and fires, mischief and mayhem, one of the great celebratory times of the year. A time when we dress up, set things alight, light up the dark nights, plays tricks and games and eat rich food. In this talk and presentation Tim Hill explores how and why we gather and delight in these special times, often drawing on Somerset and the South West’s rich traditions of celebration. The talk will range through Harvest Homes, Halloween, bonfires and fireworks, village bands, costumes, Illuminated carnival and Punky Night. Tim explores the ways we celebrate with music, noise, song and dance, costumes and disguise, parades and processions, fire and illumination and food and feasts. The talk will be illustrated with the many photos and pictures Tim has gathered over the years and will feature songs and music too. At the end of the presentation there will be a chat and a chance to share your stories too.

Tim has been making celebrations for over 20 years and recently organised the Sound of the Streets Festival in Taunton, He has played with samba bands around Stonehenge and on the back of trucks at Notting Hill carnival, led giants through the streets of London, created Olympic Torch events, cooked celebratory feasts, written wassail songs, and taken funeral services. He has been researching traditions of celebration, outdoor music, ritual noise, parades and processions and the ways we love to gather and feast and dance been giving talks for several years. Tim works as musical director on outdoor shows across the UK and Ireland, and with the Mellstock Band he recreates the English rural music of the 18th and 19th centuries, appearing in many productions like the classic BBC Pride and Prejudice. His photo is from the Macnas Halloween parade in Galway.

Host or Publisher South West Heritage Trust