October Plenty
After much consideration the Lions part have made the very sad and difficult decision to end October Plenty celebrations on London's Bankside.
If circumstances were to change in future years, we may revisit this decision, but for now, our October Plenty celebrations are no longer sustainable.
The reasons are many and various and all have been diligently thought through by the company to be sure of this tough decision.
Our aspiration is that our October Plenty Corn Queene, The Berry Man, John Barleycorn and all the joy following them, will spring up again once more, perhaps somewhere else in England!
We will let you know.
We wish to unreservedly thank each and every person and organisation who has given support and commitment to the Lions part festivals over the years and helped us keep this much-loved festival alive for nearly a quarter of a century.
Previous October Plenty events & highlights:
THE CORN QUEENE
Heavy with wheat, fruit & vegetables, the magnificent CORN QUEENE will appear in procession in front of the Globe with our company of actors, along with the traditional HOBBY HORSE.
THE PROCESSION, MUSIC & DANCING
Join the procession of music, flags and spectacle through the streets to the historic BOROUGH MARKET. Leading us is the extraordinary BERRY MAN, the autumnal Green Man, decked with wild fruits & foliage. See the Borough Market's bright Market Hall come alive with festivity whilst savouring and sampling the food, cider and apple juice on offer from this famous food market.
THE PLAY
This year the Lions part heartily welcomes The Fabularium with their boisterous Fabularium Fables the release of their Flock of Sheep into the Market.
MUSIC & DANCING
See the Ravensbourne Morris dancers amidst the festivities, the time honoured Redding Moreys and Shakespeare's Goddesses in splendour. Catch the Berry Man and company for a conker fight.
Watch the infamous EXECUTION OF JOHN BARLEYCORN and Dance the Hay with us followed by the traditional stripping of the CORN QUEENE.
THE STORY ORCHARD
All afternoon a little orchard of young apple trees creates a space for storytelling for children of all ages about food, magic & harvest. Our beloved master storyteller Pat Ryan joins us once again.
CROSSBONES GRAVEYARD
At the end of the festivities join us to visit & decorate the extraordinary gates of Crossbones Graveyard in Red Cross Way and contemplate the quiet of the Graveyard with us.
OCTOBER PLENTY is FREE, FUN and PHOTO-FRIENDLY for ALL THE FAMILY.
Warmest wishes for the autumn season,
the Lions part
Lift up your hearts, your voices and feet!
Keep an eye on our facebook and twitter feeds, our Instagram Account, our Youtube Channel and this website for news.
