Page "Ottery St Mary" Paragraph 15

Tar Barrels, 5 November 2005The town typically stages annual events around Guy Fawkes Night when, in a tradition dating from the 17th century, barrels soaked in tar are set alight Generations of the same family have been known to compete across the years and it is thought that the event may have originated as a means of warding off evil spirits, similar to other British fire festivals, around the time of Halloween.

In recent years the event has been jeopardised by the need for increasing public liability insurance coverage.

Nevertheless the event continues and the town's population of 7, 000 increases at the event to well over 10, 000.

During the event all roads in and out of Ottery St Mary are closed for safety reasons with diversions in place.