Mummers raise hundreds touring Yorkshire pubs

A group of folk performers took their final bows of the festive season last night after raising hundreds of pounds "mumming".

The Chewit Well Mummers ended the season in the pubs of Masham and West Tanfield on Friday, after raising more than £800 for the Harrogate Homeless Project.

Based in Harrogate, the group - which is named after Tewitt Well on the Stray - also performed in Shipley and Otley over Christmas.

"Bag Man" Bob Carter, who leads the group, said he had been performing in Yorkshire pubs since 1979.

"It is a play that dates from the time of Downton Abbey, when the villagers would do a little play around Christmastime and go around the big houses and collect money for a few drinks, get mince pies and things like that," he said.

The mummers dress in disguises before touring pubs performing a play that represents the coming of the new year and singing folk songs.

"At the time they used to sew ribbons on to their jackets or turn them inside out," said Mr Carter.

"My wife made mine in about 1979, when I first started. She cut up old dresses and sewed them to an old storeman's coat and it's a costume and a disguise.

"We have a hat, which also has ribbons stuck on it, and it all created a mystery for when the play starts," he said.

Traditionally the groups would have used coal dust on their faces to hide their identity, but this has now been replaced with face paint.

Chewit-Well Mummers started in Bradford, as Bradford City Traditional Mummers, but was renamed after relocating to Harrogate.

The group of seven mummers each take roles in a traditional play about St George.

Performing to music played on a melodeon, St George battles another knight, Slasher, who is stabbed in the back.

Mr Carter said: "Slasher is killed and the doctor comes on, gives him a little bottle, which is a magical elixir.

"Slasher is reborn, comes back to life, then wanders off, and it finishes with a wassail song and a collection."

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