Custom
All Grovely!
Three thirds, and no more.
See it clearly
- What's there
- Ancient woodland
- Legend from
- 1603 forest charter; living custom
- Best time
- 29 May
- Tone
- Joyful
Pots, pans and trumpets before dawn. Then into the wood, and up the tower with an oak bough.
Every 29 May, Oak Apple Day, Great Wishford keeps its ancient rights in Grovely Wood. A forest charter of 1603 confirmed the villagers' right to gather dead wood, cut green boughs, graze cattle and take nuts and acorns. Before dawn a noisy band wakes the village, and everyone walks to the wood for oak boughs. A great Marriage Bough is hoisted up St Giles' church tower. Villagers dance at Salisbury Cathedral and shout 'Grovely, Grovely, Grovely and all Grovely!' A fête follows.