ordinary people

Description

he Gate to Southwell is a traditional Nottinghamshire event that dates back to the year 1109, when the Archbishop of York Thomas of York wrote to each of the parishes of Nottinghamshire, asking them to contribute to the building of a new mother church at Southwell. This resolved a dispute as to whether the Notts. offerings should be given to York or Southwell. The offerings the Southwell Pence were brought to St. Mary's Southwell by an annual procession at Whitsuntide. The procession began at Nottingham and was headed by the mayor and corporation in their best ceremonial robes. Apparently, the mayor was allowed a certain discretion and sometimes did not come because of a foulness of the way or distemperance of the weder Behind the mayor came clergy who could use the occasion to get up to date with church business and ordinary people combining a pilgrimage with a holiday excursion. The tradition was revived in 1981 and, since that time, local dance teams have collected and carried the Southwell Pence each Whitsuntide. These days, the proceeds go to a worthwhile charity. The hardiest process the 13 miles [21 km] from Sneinton, on the outskirts of Nottingham, to Southwell, dancing at several of the villages along the route and taking a little light refreshment to sustain their pilgrimage along the way before handing over the pence collected from parishes in Nottingham. After the speeches a Morris team is invited to dance in the Cathedral