The World Famous Ottery St Mary Tar Barrel Rolling

Every year on November 5th for reasons lost in antiquity, the Flaming Tar Barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St mary to the delight of thousands of townsfolk and visitors. Starting with the junior barrels in late afternoon the size of the adult barrels grow until the final enormous one is carried as Midnight calls. A gigantic bonfire over 30 feet (10 metres) high and crowned with Guy Fawkes himself, forms an impressive background to the occasion together with a fairground and many other attractions. The event has been televised all over the world and has made Ottery St Mary a place in which to celebrate a unique occasion.

Ottery St Mary Carnival

Carnival Night with its parade of spectacular floats and marchers from many towns and villages in the area is held on the Saturday before Tar Barrels Night where it has grown into one of the major events in Devon. The evening begins with the parade and is followed by a magnificent display of fireworks on the Land of Canaan. An event not to be missed and everyone is made welcome.

Pixie Day

On the Saturday nearest to Midsummer's Day the Pixies take their revenge. Children, re-enacting an ancient legend, run to the Church of St Mary where they take captive the local bellringers and spirit them off to their cave in the Town Square. Following colourful celebrations the bellringers are released and the Pixies make their way home. A fete on the Land of Canaan, held from 2.30pm until 11.00pm is complete with side-shows, refreshments and live entertainment ending with spectacular fireworks.

What’s On in Ottery St Mary and Parish July 2009

Visit Ark Pottery Wiggaton open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm
Contact 01404 812628 for more information

Cadhay House & Gardens and Tea Room open to the public each Friday July 3rd/10th/17th/24th/31st 2pm to 5.30pm. Last admission 4.30pm. More Information on 01404813511

Escot Gardens, Maze and Park Open daily from 10.00am – Birds of Prey and Falconry Displays, See the Asian Otters – Cream Teas and Refreshments. Contact 822188 for more information.

Day - 1st
Date - Wednesday
Events - Summer Line Dancing at Otter Nurseries
Times - 4pm to 6.30pm

Day - 3rd
Date - Friday
Events - Farmer’s Market, Hind Street
Times - 9am to 1.00pm

Day - 4th
Date - Saturday
Events - Mother’s Union Coffee Morning, At 1 Katherine’s Lane Ottery St Mary
Times - 10.30-12.00

Day - 4th
Date - Saturday
Events - Ottery St Mary Primary School Fete
Times - 12 noon to 3pm

Day - 5th
Date - Sunday
Events - Wiggaton Gardens Open Day. Gardens open , in aid of Cathedral Millennium Appeal
Times - 2pm to 6pm

Day - 5th
Date - Sunday
Events - Ottery St Mary Chamber of Commerce, Car Boot Sale at Football Club, Vehicles £5 book on 01404 813964/814946
Times - Buyers 10.00am, Sellers 11.00am

Day - 7th
Date - Tuesday
Events - Ottery St Mary Silver Band Evening Concert at Connaught Gardens Sidmouth
Times - 7.45pm

Day - 11th
Date - Saturday
Events - Ottery Parish Church Coffee Morning at Feoffee Room
Times - 10.00am

Day - 11th
Date - Saturday
Events - Otter Valley Rail and River Run 2009 Starting at Tipton St John playing field. Contact Jo Earlham on 01404813933 for more information.
Times - 10.30am

Day - 11th
Date - Saturday
Events - 2 Plays with Ottery Community Theatre at The London Inn ‘George and the Dragon’ The Quiet Man’
Times - 7.30pm

Day - 12th
Date - Sunday
Events - Ottery Gentlemen’s Cycle Ride Church Steps
Times - 6.00pm

Day - 12th
Date - Sunday
Events - 2 plays with Ottery Community Theatre at The London Inn tickets in advance from Stagestruck 01404 811311
Times - 7.30pm

Day - 12th
Date - Sunday
Events - Open Garden Little Ash Cottage Fenny Bridges, supporting the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, contact 01404 850565 for more information
Times - 11am to 6.00pm

Day - 12th
Date - Sunday
Events - Feniton Gardens Open Day, tickets from Spar Shop and Feniton Post Office
Times - 2.00pm to 6.00pm

Day - 12th
Date - Sunday
Events - Concert at Escot Church in aid of Feniton Church Flood Appeal and Escot Church Roof given by the Wealden Wind Quintet, tTickets £7 from David on 01404 850699/Roger White on 01404 851441/Babs Leach 841408/Judy Davis 812739
Times -7.00pm

Day - 14th
Date - Tuesday
Events - Ottery St Mary Silver Band evening concert at Connaught Gardens Sidmouth
Times - 7.45pm

Day - 17th Friday to 19th Sunday
Events - Alfington Flower Festival

Day - 18th
Date - Saturday
Events - Live Band Playing at The London Inn Function Room, brilliant was the comment from last month’s evening
Times - 8.00pm

Day - 19th
Date - Sunday
Events - ‘Messing about on the River’ celebrating ‘100 Years of Wind in the Willows’ at Escot - 01404 822188 for more details

Day - 21st
Date - Tuesday
Events - Ottery St Mary Silver Band Concert at Connaught Gardens Sidmouth
Times - 7.45pm

Day - 22nd
Date - Wednesday
Events - At Angela Court, at Tipton St John - Garden Party. Table top sale. Book a table with Emma or Ann on 01404 812495
Times - 2.30pm

Day - 23rd
Date - Thursday
Events - The Festival Players Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s intriguing comedy of Riddles, Romance, & Revenge – The Merchant of Venice at Sand, Sidbury buy Tickets in advance on 01395 597230.
Times - 7.30pm

Day - 24th
Date - Friday
Events - Friends of Ottery St Mary Parish Church fundraising event ‘Tapas Evening’ Contact 01404 812031 for more information
Times -7.30pm

Day - 25th
Date - Saturday
Events - Ottery Community Market at The Institute
Times - 9.30am /12.30pm

Day - 25th
Date - Saturday
Events - British Legion Fete at West Hill
Times - 2.00pm

Day - 26th
Date - Sunday
Events - Ottery St Mary Carnival Bingo Evening at Ottery St Mary Football club
Times - 7.30pm

Day - 28th
Date - Tuesday
Events - Ottery St Mary Silver Band Concert at Connaught Gardens Sidmouth
Times - 7.45pm

Day - 28th
Date - Tuesday to 1st Saturday August
Events - ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ at The King’s School presented by The New Ottregians in aid of, and supported by, Hospiscare. Tickets available from Bagpuss Gallery 01404 814272 and Stagestruck On 01404 811311
Times - 7.30pm