Paul Laverack has contributed an unidentified newspaper clipping describing Plough Jag Day in Burton upon Stather, Lincolnshire, a photograph of which we published as a query in Traditional Drama Forum No.6. The following is an extract:
Gangs roamed the villages |
In a letter to the Editor, a former Burton resident recalls boyhood memories of the now extinct plough-jagging which was one of the most popular holidays in North Lincolnshire villages over half a century ago. |
Plough Monday At Burton, as in most if not all other North Lincolnshire villages, there was one recognised holiday - Plough Jag Day - often referred to as Plough Monday, held on the first Monday after Epiphany. No Hooligans Dressed in horse rags which were draped over hoops carried by bands over the shoulders, and normally wearing one white and one black stocking (the mark of a thoroughbred) they usually presented a fearsome appearance.
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Beer flowed freely on "jagging day" and towards the end of the day there was often a good deal of high-spirited horesplay among the gangs. But I have no recollection of the hooliganism and wanton destruction which is such a feature of today. Through Fire Plough jagging was going out in my early days but I can remember as many as six gangs, including out own, coming into the village during the day.
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Reference
A.McV.Godfrey (1967) "Gangs roamed the villages - but it was only horseplay"
[Unidentified Newspaper Clipping, Lincoln Central Library], 21st Jan 1967
This clipping was found in a folder at Lincoln Central Library, with dating information but no source. There was another cutting, taken from the Sheffield Telegraph in the same folder and Mr.McV.Godfrey does mention going to school in Sheffield so he may have settled there. Can anyone provide further details?