The Wellington Folk and Custom Society appointed a new ‘Bishop Blaize’ on their annual 'Blaize n Brigit Night’. 

The folk custom event was held at the Cottage Inn on Saturday February 4. Wellington’s only Freeman, Richard Fox, swore in the Bishop Blaize for 2023, Conor Kimball.  

The Blaize festival is thought to have a long history. Its first recorded mention was in 1899 when the Ealing Deane wrote that the Wellington Blaize festival was an annual event. 

Blaize night traditionally involved workers from the local wool industry choosing their own Bishop Blaize before holding a celebration. Also known as Saint Blaize, the patron saint of woolcombers, the figure has been revered in England since at least the Middle Ages. 

The night’s proceedings were opened by Lord Misrule and Double Danger the II. The pair were followed by talks from Mistress of ceremony Mandy Norvell and Freeman Richard Fox. 

Afterward there were celebrations of music and dancing in the Cottage Inn car park with the local Bootstrap Border Morris Team. 

Celebrations continued throughout the evening, as traditional folk music played out into the night.

'Mr Double Danger II' thanked all those involved with the event, who ensured it was an enjoyable and merry evening.

He added: "The event  also marks the coming of Spring, may spring light up path."