Children at schools in Mepal, Sutton and Haddenham enjoy visit from Mepal Molly dancers
Mepal Molly group pictured at Aldreth near Haddenham. PHOTO Neil Morton - Credit: Archant
Children at primary schools in Mepal, Sutton and Haddenham enjoyed visits from the Mepal Molly dancers on Monday.
After a short introductory talk, the group performed a song and dance before the children joined in the dance.
In the afternoon Mepal Molly visited Haddenham Cherry Tree Pub, Stretham , Wicken Fen and Soham ending the day time at Ely Market Place.
Michael Czarnobaj, organiser, said: “Plough Monday is a revival of a celebration which was common place in East Anglia many years ago.
“It is the day (first Monday after Epiphany) farm workers returned to work after the Christmas / New Year period.
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“Often the land was flooded or frozen so no ploughing. No work no wages. Short of money after the Christmas period they would either push a plough around the village or town cadging/ busking for a few coppers from the homes or businesses of wealthier people.
“Some would dance and sing (Molly Dancers) similarly collecting money. Mepal Molly revived this custom in January 1977 - named after the village the dancers all lived in at the time.”
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