Hop Hoodening Canterbury
Until recently, Kent was the main hop growing area in the Country and had many traditions associated with it. Now unfortunately the growing of hops has declined dramatically due to imports and the cost of harvesting. However there are still several festivals that celebrate the harvesting of the hops. One of the longest running takes place on the 1st Saturday of September at Canterbury Cathedral. This has been run by a mixture of the local branch of the EFDSS and the local morris sides (Wantsum and East Kent) since 1954.
The day starts with a Procession through the precincts into the Cathedral by the Hop Queen in a Hop Bower, followed by country dancers and Morris Men. The procession is usually accompanied by two Hooden Horses . They are met at the door of the Cathedral by one of the senior clergy and process down the main nave for the service.
During the service East Kent Morris, Wantsum Morris and Kings Boys usually dance in front of the altar along with The Handbell Hoodeners and the local country dance team. Following the service there is a display of dancing in the cathedral precincts and a walking tour of the city.
There have been problems with the service in some years. In 1996 we were displaced from the Cathedral by the Police Choir who had a concert in the evening and blocked up the nave of the Cathedral. The service was held in the Methodist Church which gave a very different feel to the event. The most amusing part was the sermon with the Methodist minister skillfully going all around the subject of hops and beer without actually blessing either. We were very grateful to the minister for letting us use the church
In 1997 the whole event fell foul of the funeral of Princess Diana. For some reason the seat of the Anglican Church decided that it would not be appropriate to have Hop Hoodening going on at the same time as the funeral in Westminster Abbey. For the last few years we have been back in the Cathedral without problems and. in 1999 we were joined for the first time by Oyster Morris who danced in the Cathedral.
More information about the ancient Kent tradition of Hoodening is available on Pete Thomas' interesting website
In 2004 Hop Hoodening fell on Saturday 11th September and the Dean and Chapter felt our celebration would not be appropriate on the anniversary of 9-11. The service was at St. Peter's Parish Church, St Peter's Street, Canterbury. In 2005 we were welcomed to dance in the Cathedral by the Vice Dean of the Cathedral and Archdeacon of Canterbury the Ven. Patrick Evans, and to dance in the precincts afterwards by Masterbrew beer provided by the Shepherd Neame Brewery.