The English Ale

The first of our winter rains has come; in the Adelaide Hills the creeks and streams trickle and begin to run, the European trees have lost their leaves and the beautiful eucalypts shimmer in the early winter sunshine. The seasons are changing. We have farewelled another dry, hot summer – the land that was so parched and dry is now is coming back to life as we move into the green. The leafy faces

of green men peek out from behind the trees as King George and his mummers players ring their bell to summon all to gather. A bonfire is built with a wicker man waiting to fire the night, masked guisers in rag coats beat their drums to lead you along the path while we await the Morris dancers with their bells, sticks and hankies to accompany the giants Petal, Rufus and Tanis, to the lighting of our ritual fire. The English Ale is coming and the Spirit of Albion lives on! The English Ale is organised by like minded people who are passionate and proud of these living customs and want to see them continue and survive in this far away land of Australia, while still honouring this beautiful land we live on. The imagination of the organisers has been fired by the amazing festivals held throughout Britain today but special thanks must be given to Keith Leech and the Hastings Jack in the Green.

“Tradition is not worshipping the ashes but passing on the fire”
Gustav Mahler