Church Ales

The original Church Fete. The Ale was a fair with feasting, drinking, dancing and singing. Games were played and competitions held. Ale would be brewed and sold by Church Wardens to boost proceeeds for the Church. The Church Ale was normally held at Whitsuntide but could be held at other times and is associated at least post-reformation with Cotswold Morris.

During the Reformation, Ales were banned by the Puritans and only some were restored afterwards.