Points West Archive Films

The tradition of men and boys dressing up in various colourful costumes and re-telling the story of George and the dragon grew from the early Medieval mimes or dumb plays that were performed without words or music.

Interestingly, the idea of 'keeping mum' comes from the old English word 'mum' meaning to remain silent – hence 'mumming'.

Because of its oral tradition – whereby none of the plays was written down – the stories changed as the years passed by, but always running through the heart of each play was the notion of good triumphing over evil.

Fairford's band of players performs its version in the large hallway of a local house, which was just as traditional as performing outdoors; in fact there are accounts of mummers arriving unannounced, bursting through the front door, staging their play and then disappearing in to the night!

Although fathers and sons of the village would have performed the plays, women's lib of the 1970s meant that female mummers were welcome.

Tradition

One of those taking part in this production was June Lewis, who played Doctor. 

She told BBC Points West reporter Gwyn Richards about the male tradition giving way to women performers and how the plays were never written down.

"That is why it is so difficult to trace a genuine mummer's play. People remembered seeing the mummer's come round, enjoyed it and remembered certain lines from it."

June believed that during the First World War, when the men went off to fight, the tradition of mummer's plays died with those men who never returned to towns like Fairford.

"I think it is important," she says, "to maintain a tradition and I think the fact we have real live fun, people coming in (perhaps making fools of themselves!), but also a thread of continuity through the ages is very important – it's something we have lost over the years."

June Lewis in 1977 as the 'Doctor'

Entertain

In 'Moonrakings: A Little Book of Wiltshire', D M Phipps from nearby Cricklade recollects her own memories of mumming.

"At Christmas time the Mummers went about playing Robin Hood or St. George. 

"With a collection of old and new songs, the perambulated the town and paid visits to the villages and remotes farmhouses, where they were well received and entertained."

With so many other distractions, particularly at this time of year, it is no doubt difficult to maintain these traditions and customs – but BBC Points West asks: does anyone know if Fairford's mummers are still busy entertaining the locals with their mummer's play? Do let us know!