THE ABBOTS BROMLEY HORN DANCE

The village of Abbots Bromley is about two miles from Blithfield and Bagots Bromley, the original home of the family, which lies within Abbots Bromley parish. Once a year, in September (on the Monday after the first Sunday after the fourth September) men from Abbots Bromley, carrying the ancient Reindeer horns on their shoulders, perform the Horn Dance in the village and sorrounding district, Blithfield Hall being one of the places where they have always stopped to dance.

No-one seems to know quite how old this custom is, but it is thought to date from pre-Christian times. Later, the dancers performed for church charities and the horns are kept in the church at Abbots Bromley. Six men carry horns and there is a Hobby-horse, Maid Marian, boy with a crossbow, Jester, Musician and boy with a triangle.