Scratching Knackers
At sunrise, the village procession, 256 in number,
emerges from The Waiting Room led by the First Four. and frolics up Knackers Track
towards the stone circle. Just ahead of them, a team of eight "scratch"
the Track with spiky sticks.
Filling the Hole
After the procession has left the Stone Circle, they
make their way to the back door of the town inn, The Hole in the Head, which is
open only to the dancers. An ancient law allows them to rip out the lungs of anyone
who trespasses. It has been many years since they last exercised this right in
1985.
St Pineal's Gland
On the stroke of midday, the procession leaves the
Inn to dance the short distance to Chakra Fields to fall asleep at the foot of
St Pineal's Gland. They leave at 1400 in the direction of the church.
Ignoring the Church
Standing in front of the disused church, the gathered
multitude turns round until their backs are facing the crumbling edifice. This
famous ceremonial tradition of Ignoring the Church dates back to the very earliest
Christian times.
Croust
Following the bridle path into Desperate Estate they
gracefully hokey-cokey up to The Off Centre Centre, where a Cornish Cream Tea
is waiting, crucially, for the First Four only.
Anger quickly ensues amongst 252 slightly drunk hungry pagans.
Public Fight
Egged on through a large window by a First Four in
full feast, teams of volunteers spread rumours through the ugly throng to ensure
that the ensuing angry brawl is more than just a ceremonial ritual.
Order is restored by Drilly Day Stewards and the day continues.
Loafing Around
After following a ley-line across Tremenheere, the
procession passes through the front door of the Elysian Fields Guest House, where
it is the solemn symbolic duty of the owner to attack the First Four with loaves
baked on Drilly Eve the previous year.
Awsom Wells
The entire procession, each carrying a porcelain goblet
of water from the Elysian Fields Guest House, gather around to perform the "Topping-Up"
ceremony.
Approaching the Well, they are pelted with old potatoes and symbolic pebbles.
Waiting Room Balcony
The final set piece of the day. The First Four emerge
from the balcony of the Waiting Room to wave and throw stones at the crowd, most
of whom are drunk and a little teasy by now.
Click on a number to read about a stop
on Drilly Day
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Drilly Day Guided Tour
