Shropshire Star

Wicker man attraction to take centre stage at Shropshire Sin-Eater Festival

A 30ft-high wicker man which is to take centre stage at a festival in Shropshire is already proving a big hit with visitors to a county pub.

Published

The giant "man" currently standing tall at The Bridges in Ratlinghope is ready to play its part in the Sin-Eater Festival which runs from June 21 to 23.

The wicker man, like the one immortalised in the chilling 1973 film of the same name, took weeks to build and will be set alight during a procession on the Saturday night which marks the focal point of the festival.

The original purpose of the wicker man was to allow people to "submit their sins" at the summer solstice, which this year happens at 5.04am on June 21.

The Sin-Eater festival will feature folk music – with Trembling Bells headlining – morris dancing, art, craft, photography and music workshops, performance art, nature walks, films, markets and a Three Tuns Beer Festival.

The festival at The Bridges is just outside the centre of Ratlinghope which is believed to be home of the England's last sin-eater, Richard Munslow, who died in 1906 and whose grave lies in Ratlinghope Church.

There will be onsite parking.

Further information is available from The Bridges' website at www.thebridgespub.co.uk

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