The founder of Wellington Folk & Custom Society has stepped down after 16 years of keeping local traditions alive and helping to revive customs which had long since disappeared.
Lee Edmead, who founded the society and has served as its chair and co-ordinator throughout its history.
He is also relinquishing his colourful roles as Mr Double Danger the Second and Lord of the Wild.
Reflecting on his 16 years at the helm, Lee said he was proud that the society had continued to stage its traditional events despite numerous challenges, including the Covid lockdowns and the closure of two pubs which had served as its home.
“Not one year on my watch has any of the events been cancelled,” he said. “We had to adapt to non-public events during the first lockdown, but the events still happened.”
The society was founded to bring together people from different backgrounds and beliefs through a shared interest in traditional customs.
Lee explained that the traditions revived by the group reflected a mixture of Christian, Pagan and secular influences.
His interest began after travelling around Somerset and Devon attending folk events and wondering whether Wellington had traditions of its own which could be brought back to life.
Research at the former Taunton Local Studies Library uncovered a wealth of material about the town’s forgotten customs and characters.
His findings were compiled into a booklet detailing the society’s guiding principles and traditions, including Bishop Blaize Night, Collop Monday, Thread the Needle and Clipping the Tower.
The research also uncovered historical figures such as Mr Double Danger, a 19th-century folk and fair organiser, and Conjurer Baker, a local baker and healer.
Among the society’s achievements was the revival of wassailing in Wellington in 2012, with its first wassail song based on a version recorded locally during the 1920s by folklorist Ruth L. Tongue.
The group has since established a popular annual programme of events, with seven taking place this year.
They included the Wellington Wassail in January, Blaize ‘n’ Bridget Night in February, St George’s Day celebrations in April, a folk parade at Wellington Park Spring Fayre in May, Clipping the Church at St John’s in June, another parade at Wellington Carnival in September and the annual Harvest Meal in October.
Lee has also created an extensive digital and physical archive of the society’s activities, including newspaper cuttings, photographs and historical research.
He is now working on a second edition of the society’s book, documenting its events, members and the many characters who have played a part in its history.
Copies of the completed book and scrapbooks will be presented to the society and Wellington Museum.
Lee paid tribute to the many people who have supported the group over the years.
“I would like to give thanks and gratitude to all the early original members, the more recent members and all the supporters over these years – everyone who has been involved with us in any capacity,” he said.
He offered particular thanks to Connie and Dave at the Cottage Inn, the wider Wellington community and Bootstrap Border Morris, with whom the society has enjoyed a close relationship.
Lee also remembered members and patrons who have died, including Richard Fox, Phillip Knighton, Bill Radford, Eric Enticott, Jenny Williams and Gizmo the dog from the former Green Dragon pub.
He paid special tribute to Rob Williams, the society’s first master of ceremonies and song keeper, who died on October 12.
“Our thoughts go out to his family and close friends,” he said.
Lee’s departure coincides with changes to the society’s other senior positions, with secretary Chloe Chandler and treasurer Louise Winborn also stepping down.
Daniel Langworthy Smith is acting as chair, Imogen Cox as secretary and Coralie Chandler as treasurer until the society’s annual meeting on November 11, when longer-term arrangements will be decided.
Despite leaving, Lee is optimistic about the future of the organisation he established.
“The foundations are already there, with a successful, established community group of 16 years in the making, with its fruits and flowers ripe and blossoming,” he said.
“May the new folks grow and prosper into the winter and the new year.
“May these West Country, English and British customs continue as a living tradition, joining the past and embracing the now and the new, and taking it into the future.”