Rupert Rivett @rupertrivett.bsky.social · Dec 7 But the reality is far more exhilarating, chaotic, and, frankly, a little dangerous—not so much for the carriers, but for the crowd. More injuries happen in the scramble to dodge the barrels than from the flames themselves. It’s part spectacle, part survival exercise, and all heart-stopping fun.
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The origins of this ritual are delightfully murky. Some say it’s rooted in pagan fire-cleansing ceremonies; others suggest a link to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Whatever its beginnings, the people of Ottery have elevated it into an art form—a combustible celebration of tradition and tenacity.