Century Old Christmas Ritual banned In English County

By Staff

Monday, December 1, 2008, 11:26

This Christmas season, the Deputy mayor of Wimborne has chosen to divert from the 400-year-old Christmas ritual of firing muskets as the noise may scare children. Children's concern is the main reason behind the mayor's decision.

The ritual involves volunteers dressed in full 17th-century militia garb and fire blanks to mark the festival. Deputy mayor John Burden, 62 in charge while the mayor is away has now banned them.

"Last year there were kids who were very upset and crying," the Sun quoted him as saying. "Loud shots make you jump but we give plenty of notice," Town crier and militia volunteer Chris Brown, 53, said. "It was originally to scare off evil spirits but now it adds a bit of pomp. Most people enjoy it," he added