Traditions and costums of the lakes.
The most important lake is the District lake. For centuries, settlements in the National Park area have been celebrating their local traditions.
Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling
This traditional sport, brought over by the Vikings, takes place at summer shows across the National Park. The earliest recorded match was in 1785 on a frozen Windermere near to Rawlinson's Nab.
Some wrestlers wear the traditional costumes of white long johns, embroidered velvet trunks and a white vest. The wrestlers 'tekk hod' – take hold - and grasp each other with their chin on the other's shoulder. The loser is the first to touch the ground with any part of his body, apart from the soles of his feet. The contest is judged on the best of three falls. Breaking hold is the equivalent of a fall.
Fell running
The name of this sport comes from the local term 'fell' meaning mountain. Fell runners tackle arduous off-road routes at high levels and with gruelling gradients. Fell runners must be excellent navigators with enough mountain sense to survive in difficult weather conditions. The Cumberland Fellrunners Association (opens in new window) has more details.
Hound trailing
This uniquely Cumbrian sport is where hounds run over the fells after a scented aniseed trail in a test of speed and stamina. The trail hounds can average speeds of 20 miles per hour. The best ignore distractions such as drinking from becks or rabbit scents to cover the 10 miles in between 25 to 45 minutes.
For spectators, the most exciting sight is the finish where trainers use whistles and bells to encourage their hound across the line. Check out the (open in new window).
Rushbearing
Rushbearing processions take place in Ambleside and Grasmere in the summer. They follow the tradition of gathering reeds from the lakes to replace the covering over the earthen floor of the local church. Children of the parish carry a cross made of rushes or flowers, and a band leads the procession to the church.
In Grasmere the ceremony is held on the Saturday nearest the 5 August, Saint Oswald's Day, who is the patron saint of the church.
Cap comentari:
Publica un comentari a l'entrada