Welcome to Randwick Wap

Amongst a number of festivals of pagan origin, later adopted by the orthodox church, held in Gloucestershire to herald in spring is the Wap - one of the country's oldest surviving festivals.Dating from around the C12 this rowdy affair was banned for a short period in the 1800's due to riotous and drunken behaviour 8~p

The Randwick Wap, held atop of the Stroud Valley, was revived by the late Rev Nial Morrison. It starts with the blessing of the Wap Cheeses before they are rolled three times around the church widdershins anti-clockwise. One cheese is shared out and the other two kept for the cheese rolling.

The years elected Village Mayor, Wap Queen and elected entourage process down the narrow main street from the War Memorial to the Mayor Pool.

The crowd are kept at bay by the Mop Man and his Apprentice wafting their very wet mops around :)

At the Mayors Pool the Mayor and Wap Queen are doused with (buckets) of spring water followed by short speeches by both and a rendition of the Wap song.

Held shoulder high on wooden sled seats, by members of the local football team, they are paraded back through the main street to the head of the well race.

At the head of the well race we return to the remaining two cheeses. These heavy roundels are rolled down the steep hill three times alternately by the Mayor and Queen,

and, alternately retrieved and returned up the hill, at a trot, by two of the younger flower maidens.














Then on to the main field for the fayre and entertainment. T'would not, of course, be complete without the Morris Dancers:

Welly Wagging:

and birds of prey:

Then off to the WI tent for tea n cakes :-p