HOODEN HORSE SANDGATE HOODENERS KENT UK

Sandgate, Kent, England 21st December 2012. Hoodening a tradition peculiar to the Isle of Thanet in Kent, though in recent years the tradition has spread further afield. First recorded in the eighteenth century the tradition was performed by groups of farm labourers when work was short and Christmas was approaching. The Hoodeners would go around their neighbourhood performing a short play, hoping for some largess. The Hooden Horse was traditionally accompanied a Mollie a man woman figure who...
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Sandgate, Kent, England 21st December 2012. Hoodening a tradition peculiar to the Isle of Thanet in Kent, though in recent years the tradition has spread further afield. First recorded in the eighteenth century the tradition was performed by groups of farm labourers when work was short and Christmas was approaching. The Hoodeners would go around their neighbourhood performing a short play, hoping for some largess. The Hooden Horse was traditionally accompanied a Mollie a man woman figure who was past her prime and a variety of other characters. The Sangate Hoodeners entertaining the Christmas drinkers in the Ship Inn were kept alive by David Rivers who played Mollie, seen here wearing a top hat and green dress and carry a traditional old fashioned broom. They performed in three pubs in Sandgate and made a collection for local charities.
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