Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk Samhain Gathering

Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk, Samhain Gathering.

Join us on Saturday 1st of November at Canon Frome Court, Ledbury for our Samhain celebration.

Gates open at 1pm where you will find our small goblin market in the main hall from stalls by:

• Candlesofthemoon
• The Wyrdwood
• Demeate forge
• Bumblepunk
• Hunt Saboteurs Association
• STUMX_
• Cornishkate
• Sundown.craft
• Owen Thomas Wood Crafts
• The Soul Shack
• Foraged and Found
• Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk (with a new Samhain tee and nickel Straif pins available)

There will also be private Tarot readings, a fully licensed bar running throughout the event along with delicious warm food available.

Live music from Mother Nettle will kick things off performing her set of songs that haunt.

You’ll find folk beasts roaming around out the front of the court before our performance including for the first time at our gathering The Black Dog created by a local artist Robin O'Connor Lowe.

https://www.robinoconnorlowepuppets.com/puppets/blackdogofhergest

As the sun begins to set Blackthorn will begin thie performance of dances, songs, tunes & ceremonies. If you would like to bring a photo of a passed love one or pet to place on our Samhain alter please feel free to but only bring a copy, no original just incase the weather turns or it get lost or damaged.

After our performance we have more live music from the wonderful Joshua Arnold and Therine, a folk duo from Manchester performing trad drones, songs, noise and charms.

After their spellbinding performance we will hold the display of guises, group guise photo and the most haunting costumes winners…what’s that all about we hear you cry!

This year we are asking you to come guised! (optional of course)

Some information/guidelines on being in guise: The primary goal of a guising costume is to be frightening and to represent a supernatural being. The scarier the costume, the better, as it was believed to ward off evil spirits.

Utilise Natural Material

Traditional costumes often used natural materials readily available. This could include:

• Natural fibers: Using materials like wool, linen, or burlap for clothing.

• Natural dyes: If coloring the costume, use natural dyes from plants or berries.

• Masks: The costume should effectively disguise the wearer,making them appear as something other than themselves.

Having your face covered to conceal your identity is vital,homemade masks from material, wood, card, real skulls/bones or paper.

• Accessories: Gnarled staff, carved turnips or gourds (like Jack-o'-lanterns), traditional old lantern.

Incorporate Symbolic Elements

Costumes often incorporated symbolic elements to represent the spirits or the dead.

• Animalistic features: Incorporating animal masks or features, as animals were often associated with the Otherworld.

• Dark colors: Using dark colors like black, brown and grey to represent the darkness of winter and the spirit world.

• Representations of death: Including skeletal features, ghostly apparitions, or other symbols of death and the afterlife.

What to consider when making your costume & our guidelines for the event

• Mobility: The costume should allow for easy movement.

• Visibility: Try not to restrict your view as this will hinder your ability to move around safely and enjoy the events entertainment.

• No store brought products: No plastic or latex Halloween masks.

• No Movie or Halloween costumes: No film characters or Hollywood creatures.

• Safety: Keep your distance from fire pits, remember in the dark you will be difficult to be seen so be weary of vehicles moving around site.

We will finish the evening off with a few more songs and tunes from our members.

Important information:

• This is a ticketed event, we will not be selling tickets on the gate or allowing entry to anyone without a pre brought ticket. If you plan on driving to the event you must have a parking space ticket, this is so we keep to our capacity.

• Gates open at 1pm and not before, they will then be closed at 5pm then reopened after our performance.

• Please car share or bring small vehicles to help us with parking.

• There is very limited overnight parking allowed on site and a few rooms to hire but this must be arranged and booked with Canon Frome Court.

• All vehicles in the car park must be off site by 11pm.

• No alcohol to be brought onto site, support the venue and local business.

• All children to be supervised at all times.

• No dogs allowed sorry as requested by Canon Frome Court.

• Dress appropriately for the weather.

•There will be a fire and smoke as part of our ceremonies and dance so please be aware of this.

* Disclaimer: Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk and Canon Frome Court take no responsibility for, and expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind including personal injury, vehicle and property damage. Anyone who attends this event do so at their own risk.

The owners of Canon Frome Court site and Blackthorn have the rights to deny acsess or ask you to leave site if you apper to be under the influence of drugs or heavily intoxicate, there will be families present so don't ruin the event for them and us. We will as always put measures into making the event as safe as possible but it is your responsibility to ensure that you, and anyone joining you act in a safe and responsible manner and that you stay a safe distance away from the performance area and bonfires.

By purchasing this ticket you are agreeing to this agreement.

Thank you from Blackthorn Ritualistic Folk & Canon Frome Court.

Photo cover attached by Eden Tanner Photography.