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Whit Walks
Whitsuntide parades used to better Christmas, by affording practical gifts of new Sunday best clothing to be proudly shown off after introducing Whit walks to the Sutton-in-Ashfield district on June 10th 1851. All the Sunday Schools joined up in the Independent Chapel, before this growing Branch Union ended Whit Tuesday by gathering together upon the Sutton market place from 1860.
First Huthwaite chapel to begin Whit Monday walks around this village was founded by Eleazor Boot. Councillor Alfred Wilson first set a 1933 record from their Sutton Road Wesleyan Church after making 63 annual appearances. Joined by all other Methodists following their proudly displayed banners, the Sherwood Street church significantly extended the line of marchers. At least one brass band headed these processions through crowd lined streets until all eventually met up for a Market Place gathering. The later opened parish church was not to be outdone. They began separate Whit Tuesday walks around Huthwaite, rattling collection tins to help boost church funds beyond reported 1933 description of an impressively displayed uniformed choir and cross bearers.
Just two Huthwaite churches were left keeping up their Whitsun parades. Ceremonial traditions gradually lost public interest over the years, except perhaps from frustrated motorists who found a main thoroughfare route along Sutton Road blocked. Marchers return from that village extremity to presumably conduct their own church service. Cubs and Scouts largely made up the number of younger representatives when lastly seen sighted in 2005.
22 Nov 11 by Gary Elliott Updated 01 Jan 22