Flaming Tar Barrels in Ottery St. Mary, Devon; 5th of November 2024

The Tar Barrel tradition in Ottery St Mary, Devon, England, is a centuries-old celebration held annually on or around November 5th, coinciding with Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night. This event features locals carrying flaming tar barrels through the town's narrow streets, an activity that combines historical reenactment with a unique community festival.

The exact origins are debated, but it's widely believed to have started post the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, perhaps as a celebration of the plot's failure or as a continuation of pagan practices to ward off evil spirits. Another theory suggests it might have been used to warn of an approaching enemy like the Spanish Armada.

Initially, tar barrels were rolled, but over time, carrying them became the norm, making Ottery St Mary's event particularly unique.

Only individuals born in Ottery or long-term residents are allowed to carry the barrels, emphasising the community's deep connection to this tradition.