Муниципальное общеобразовательное учреждение «Средняя
общеобразовательная школа № 14 пос. Подъяпольский»
Шкотовского района, Приморского края
Автор работы: Мацевецкая Надежда Сергеевна –
уч-ся 10 класса
Наставник: Панова Ирина Леонидовна –
учитель английского языка
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Ottery St. Mary is an English town on the River Otter. It’s
internationally known for its Tar Barrels, an old custom said
to be originated in the 17th century, and which is held on
November 5th every year. Each of Ottery's central public
houses sponsors a single barrel. In the weeks prior to the day
of the event, November 5th, the barrels are soaked with tar.
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Opinions differ as to the origin of this festival of fire, but the most
widely accepted version is that it began as a pagan ritual that
cleanses the streets of evil spirits. It is an incredible night to
remember - one of the biggest bonfires in the South West is ignited
on the banks of the River Otter and behind it are the flashing
neon's of the annual fun fair. The origins of the tradition are
murky. Some claim it's a throwback to the days when smoking tar
barrels were taken in and out of the pubs to get rid of disease.
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The barrels are lit outside each of the pubs in turn and once the
flames begin to pour out, they are hoisted up onto local people's
backs and shoulders. The streets and alleys around the pubs are
packed with people, all eager to feel the lick of the barrels flame.
Seventeen Barrels all in all are lit over the course of the evening. In
the afternoon and early evening there are women's and boy's
barrels, but as the evening progresses the barrels get larger and by
midnight they weigh at least 30 kilos.
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About 150 people take part in the tar barrels every
year, which equates to 50 families or so. In many cases,
the event brings together several generations of a
family, so there is a rich seam of memories to be
shared.
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A great sense of camaraderie exists between the 'Barrel
Rollers', despite the fact that they tussle constantly for
supremacy of the barrel. In most cases, generations of
the same family carry the barrels and take great pride
in doing so. It perpetuates Ottery St Mary's great sense
of tradition, of time and of history.
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From 4 pm there are smaller barrels for children and ladies.
Then a huge bonfire is lit near the riverbank at 6.30 and the men’s
barrels start to appear in turn around 7.30 pm.
Each barrel is sponsored by a pub and lit outside it.
The action takes place around The Square, Mill Street and Yonder
Street area.
As if this isn’t enough to brighten the darkest of November evenings,
there is also a funfair and the firing of the Rock Cannons. The handheld miniature cannons are fired throughout the day on 5th of
November, as a prelude to the Ottery St Mary Flaming Tar Barrel
carnival If you want to find them, just look out for groups of people
striding purposefully around the town or listen to the bangs that
follow the smoke.
(1)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Nwkfx
16H9h8)
WHEN
WHAT
PEOPLE
WHERE
FEELINGS
ENTERTAINMENTS
SPONSORS
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1) Old custom said to have originated in the …th century.
a) 18
b)16 c)17
2) Which is held on November …th each year.
a) 11
b) 2 c) 5
3) The streets and alleys around the … are packed with people.
a)pubs b)café c) restaurant
4) In many cases, the event brings together several … of a family.
a) generations b)heritage c)groups
5) A great sense of … exists between the 'Barrel Rollers‘.
a) hostility b) camaraderie c) pride
6) It began as a pagan ritual that cleanses the streets of … spirits.
a)good b)different c)evil
7) It's a throwback to the days when smoking tar barrels were
taken in and out of the pubs to … of disease.
a) spread the disease b) get rid c) get
1) с
2) с
3) a
4) a
5) b
6) c
7) b
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottery_St_Mary
http://www.tarbarrels.co.uk/index.htm
http://calendarcustoms.com/articles/ottery-st-marytar-barrels/
http://snaggletoothadventures.wordpress.com/2011/
11/11/tar-barreling/
Pictures
http://www.tarbarrels.co.uk/
http://www.google.ru