Plans under way for village firling event

AFTER the great fun of last year’s post-Christmas, fir tree hurling – “firling” event in Bratton, volunteers are being sought to help arrange an even better one for 2021.

Anyone able to set up their own small table, ie, arts/crafts, local produce or charity is welcome, and some of the tasks of the day include banner-making, registering entrants, and measuring firling distances.

Organiser, Sue Campbell, told White Horse News, “Last year was great fun with minimal organisation. 

“Just a few posters in the village, making a banner,  popping a table down on the grass, and arranging for someone to register the entrants  on arrival, getting  two measuring stewards, a  bell ringer for some noise and that was it.”

Fir trees were hurled across the village green to yells of “I firl ye fair fir’ and champions were crowned with “golden” fir cones. Around 20  throwers took part and spectators and supporters watched from a safe distance. 

Sue added, “Amazingly  a photo of our vicar, Rev Andrew Sinclair, firling his tree was featured on page 2 of The Telegraph, and other photos also in local papers.” 

Next year’s “firling” event will be  in the first weekend of January again, to be as close to twelfth night as possible. 

Sue said, “I would welcome anyone  able to organise their own small table, ie,  arts/crafts,  local produce or charity. But the whole thing is small and not for anyone expecting to make loads of money from vast crowds. It’s fun, not lucrative. 

“That said, we were able to make a nice donation to Cancer Research UK.”

Sue’s best friend was undergoing cancer treatment at the time of last year’s event and Sue intends for any proceeds from the next one to go to ENT cancer research. 

Prizes will once again be the golden fir cone, silver fir cone and smaller versions of the same for junior winners.   Additionally there will be some  “much needed” consolation  prizes, Sue added.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Sue by calling 07572 286781 or emailing suekemp60@ yahoo.co.uk

Picture:  Parish vicar Rev Andrew Sinclair firling his tree at last year’s event.