I know some of you are interested in the customs from different parts of the world, so I thought you might like this one. Here in England we have Plough plays , performed on, or near to, Plough Monday. (The first Monday after Epiphany) These plays have been going for hundreds of years and all contain similar characters (recruiting sergeant, doctor, fool, horse, Beelzebub, Dame Jane and Besom Betty) The female parts are always played by men, usually with beards! The plot always contains a courtship, a death and a miracle cure. The whole thing has traditional songs and dances to keep it together. The make-up is also traditional and was to disguise the players so their employers didn't recognise them!

I took these pictures this morning and the gale force winds were a problem, but not as much as the snow we sometimes have. I particularly liked the Green Man make up of the melodeon player and the beautifully embroidered smock worn by the Man of Straw.