In 2003 some of FVM went to Banbury to perform with their animals at the Banbury Beasts celebration, and were so inspired by the Whitstable Hoodeners that they made a hooden horse and began performing with it.
The play has now been performed at two folk festivals, Weymouth and Crediton.
The origins of hoodening (a mid winter tradition) lie in the dark past in East Kent, an area settled by the Jutes, who “may have” brought hoodening with them (or so some claim)
Portland in Dorset was also settled by Jutes, so is there a tenuous connection?
Maybe not, but the play is great fun to watch and to perform. It is still evolving as hoodening plays tend to do, and will be performed throughout the coming summer at fetes, days of dance and hopefully more festivals.
Keep a lookout for it; it only lasts for nine and a half minutes. Time well spent?

2009-10 Dates