Traditions and Folklore

A recent enquiry about the Oak Apple Day in Great Wishford proved to be an interesting one to research. I had heard of the phrase ‘Grovely, Grovely, Grovely and all Grovely’ but did not know what it meant. This was an opportunity to put that right.

The ceremony takes place on May 29th. It dates back to at least 1603 when the Charter of the Forest Court of Grovely granted the inhabitants the right to collect dead wood all year round, cut green boughs on Oak Apple Day, pasture cattle, gather nuts and acorns and allow pigs to root in the forest.

However, the villagers were exercising their common law rights long before this.

In 1957 Ralph Whitlock was a guest at the lunch, and he wrote a detailed account of the festivities.

The day began well before dawn when the young people processed through the village, waking up all the residents by making as much noise as possible. Bells were rung, trumpets played, pots and pans clanged, until every house showed a light to prove they were awake. The whole village then walked to Grovely woods to exercise their ancient rights and customs.