A historic event in Randwick is set to take place on Saturday, May 10.
Comprising a costumed procession, ceremonial cheese rolling, a Mayor elect, May queen, and their entourage. This procession then moves through the village, aided by “The Mopman”, to a spring where the new celebrities are “wetted” before they roll two Double Gloucester cheeses down a hill to determine the fate of the seasons crops.
Randwick Wap is believed to date back to medieval times and was banned in the late nineteenth century by the court at Whitminster due to ‘debauchery’.
The word Wap dates back to Saxon times and could be an abbreviation for wapenshaw, or show of weapons, to check that the community could defend itself.
The Wap was reinstated in 1972 by Randwick’s vicar, the late Rev Nial Morrison, and has been an annual favourite, though it fell victim to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
The event will start at the war memorial at 12.30pm, beginning with a costumed procession. The Wap Mayor and Queen are carried at shoulder height through the village by members of Randwick FC.
Voting for the Wap mayor 2025 has now started and can be done electronically. To arrange an electronic vote, residents can email wap.evote@randwick.org.uk
In person voting is taking place at Randwick church on Sunday, March 16, 12pm to 1.30pm. And also on Friday, March 21, at Randwick school playground, 3pm to 4pm, and at the Carpenter’s Arms, Westrip, 7pm to 10pm. Lastly, on Saturday, March 22, at the Vine Tree Inn, Randwick, from 7pm to 10pm.
