The spectacular Randwick Wap returns on Saturday, May 13th, and is believed to date back to medieval times – the current format was revived in 1972.
The event comprises 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 season’s crops. All great fun.
The Wap is run in conjunction with a fayre on the village green. There will be workshops for all ages to weave and make natural products. Live music from local Latin trio, Babia and others, with The Steamhead Trappers, a country band headlining later in the afternoon.
A food court has offerings from Tamari Gi, Mamas Meals and Wapburgers. There are giant inflatables and a five-metre climbing wall this year. Alongside these will be more the traditional coconut shy, welly wang and others.
Local artists have created a colour by numbers street art installation to get involved with, and there may be some sponges and stocks. Stroud Brewery created a spring bitter for the event, Wap Ale, which will be for sale alongside Pimms and Day’s cottage cider.
All this starts at noon on the village green, the procession leaves from the war memorial in the village at 12.45pm. The fayre continues till 5pm, and later in local pubs. It is free entry, although the parking is charged at £3 from the local scouts.
