Feast Week History

The History of Feast Week

You may have heard of Abbotsley’s annual ‘Feast Week’ which takes place in July and maybe even joined in the fun. But what it’s all about and how did it start?

‘Feast Week’ (originally ‘The Patronical Festival’) is in honour of St. Margaret of Antioch, the Patron Saint of St. Margaret’s Church.

Legend has it that St. Margaret, daughter of pagan priest Aedesius, was tortured and eventually beheaded after refusing to renounce her Christianity following the marriage proposal by Olybrius, Governor of the Roman Diocese of the East. She was canonised in 304AD but authenticity to the many fanciful stories surrounding her have been questioned as early as the 10^th century. Putting aside these unlikely tales, which include devils and dragons, there is no doubt she is a saint. Her Feast Day is 20 July.

St. Margaret’s has been celebrating its patron saint since it was built in the 13^th/14^th centuries. Bringing this up to our times, in the 1930’s the celebrations increased. They began with a church service on the village green followed by a procession to the Church and then family fun with a fairground roundabout and swing boats. As the years progressed this grew to include a fete and barn dance.

In 1977, following the successful village celebrations for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, ‘Feast Week’ started to take the format that exists today and, in 2000, a Scarecrow Festival was introduced.

This year the theme has moved from scarecrows to ‘Plant your Pants’ and the village will be full of trousers topped with colourful flowers. Why not come along and join in the fun at the fete, barn dance, pub quiz, bingo, live jazz and lots more. St. Margaret’s will hold its celebratory Service on Sunday 22 July at 11.15am.

We are currently researching the history of Feast Week – particularly for the period from the 1930’s to 1977. Do you have any stories or photos that you’d like to share? If so, please contact Marie at mariewimlettthomas@gmail.com or call 01767 677404.