Carving the Boar's Head, Swan Inn, Stone,

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Date:6th of January 1988

Description:The Uttoxeter Guisers visited several public houses in Stone and performed the ancient Stone Mummers' play. The players are dressed in the traditional guisers costume (disguisers) of 'rags and tatters'.

At the last venue, the Swan on Stafford Street, Philip Leason, the Town Mayor, was invited to carve the decorated pig's head which was the traditional dish eaten for supper on Twelfth Night. This was the last time the tradition was revived in Stone.

Pictured with Mayor Leason are, from left to right: Graham Arnold, Roy Sedgwick, Ted 'Tod' Williams, Robert Arnold and Sid Williams. Graham Arnold was the landlord of one of the pubs in Stone at the time.

The Uttoxeter Guisers continue to perform on Christmas Eve in the pubs and clubs of Uttoxeter, and on Christmas Day at a number of private homes in the area. This has been an annual occurence since the 19th century.

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Image courtesy of: Leason, Philip A.

Donor ref:P. Leason No., PT00507, img: 2719 (18/3094)

Source: Staffordshire Museum Service

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