In far North Northumberland, there is a village which lights up the darkness on one January evening each year with torches, fire, and… salmon?
Horncliffe stands on the south bank of the River Tweed, one of the country’s best-known salmon rivers. Since Victorian times, the river and its salmon are blessed every February 14, with the current sermon adapted to take account of environmental concerns.
Though unrelated to the blessing, for the last six years, a salmon procession has taken place in Horncliffe on the Sunday before Plough Monday – the traditional start to the English agricultural year. Retired electricity industry worker Nick Allmark, 66, established the Salmon Procession alongside married couple Louise and Keith Giddens in 2019.
And like many weird and wonderful ideas, it was conceived in the local pub, the Fishers Arms. Nick told ChronicleLive: “After you’ve got Christmas and New Year, January’s a really flat time of the year.
“We thought what we need is some kind of celebration in the village to cheer everyone up and have a bit of fun. It also ties in with the Pagan winter festivals about having some fire and celebration as we’re coming out of the dark days of winter into the spring, so that’s the idea behind it.”
Tomorrow’s procession is also intended as a nod to the village’s past. Evidence has shown records of salmon fishing as far back as Britain’s Roman occupation, while fisheries have lined the Tweed’s banks since the 11th century.
The 2024 Salmon Procession in Horncliffe, Northumberland
(Image: Nick Allmark)
Salmon fishing used to be the backbone of the industry in the villages along the river, but with the economy shifting to farming or more urbanised roles, it could be argued that the pink-fleshed fish aren’t as important as they once were.
Nick continued: “I suppose in some ways we’re acknowledging the salmon fishing heritage of the village. But more than that, it’s about the time of year, the links to the river, and the environment here as well.”
Ahead of Sunday night, villagers have attended art workshops to create willow salmon lanterns which will be used to light the parade. England’s most northerly Morris dancing troupe, Rag Bag Morris, have been preparing for their part in the procession and will dance through the village streets.
Horncliffe villagers making willow lanterns ahead of the Salmon Procession
(Image: Nick Allmark)
All of this, it is hoped, will bring the residents together, as well as attracting visitors from further afield. Starting at the village play park, the procession carries on along to the square, the local pub, and Cooper’s Field.
The Fishers Arms, the community-owned pub which is currently run by volunteers and is on the hunt for a new tenant, plays a part, with the landlord will be raising a toast to the fish from the doorway as the procession passes.
Moira Kay, who chaired the community buyout of the pub, is excited for the procession. She said: “When the salmon goes past, we’ll toast it and there’ll be a toast to the pub and all the rest of it. It’s a village tradition now as we’ve had a few of them!”
The procession ends at the playing field, for a ceremonial burning of willow salmon. Then, a party is set to take place in the village hall, featuring music from the Salmon City Blues Band.
Nick finished: “Most importantly, it (the Salmon Procession) is about bringing everyone together and it ties in with a number of things in the village now.
The 2024 Salmon Procession in Horncliffe, Northumberland
(Image: Nick Allmark)
“The demographic in Horncliffe tends towards older, retired people but there are some young families and children in the village as well. It brings everyone out and gets them involved. It’s indented to be inclusive of everyone, so it’s a fun procession with people dressing up in fancy dress.
“We all come to the village hall on a cold winter night for a buffet, a few drinks, and a live band. So it’s an opportunity for people in the community to get together at a time of the year when they might not otherwise.”
Horncliffe Salmon Procession takes place at 7pm on Sunday, January 12.
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