Hey nonny nonny, it’s Elizabethan season

As Totnes Mayor Tim Bennett said, he wasn’t the only one in a “silly costume” when he opened the 56th season of Elizabethan markets this Tuesday.

Respendent in red and gold regalia Cllr Bennett was matched for finery by Town Sergeant Peter Bethell – who happens to be the originator of the Elizabethan tradition – and its current leader, former Mayor David Horsburgh in his natty kilt.

Totnesians with long memories will recall the glory days of Elizabethan day, when many shopkeepers donned doublet and hose and wandered about the street to the amusement of tourists.
Peter Bethell said: ‘It became more and more popular and we were known throughout Devon.” As Town Sergeant, Peter’s job is to save the Mayor (or at least his bling) if anyone tried to nick it although Mayor Tim was brought up in Hackney, so could probably take care of himself!

Before “merch” became a thing, the Elizabethans were on tea towels and postcards, invited to the launch of the replica Golden Hind (built in Appledore) and generally added to the atmosphere
of Totnes well before it became “alternative.” There are far fewer people willing to dress up and have a market stall nowadays but Cllr Bennett said all charities are having a hard time recruiting volunteers. “It’s one of a number of events which are for want of a better word iconic, like the odd object competition and the orange race. So if they go, then you realise how much they mean to local people, so this market may not be as popular but it doesn’t mean it cant be again. It needs new blood.

“It’s as much about community cohesion as it is commerce. People who grew up, moved away and come back, they realise it’s part of the fabric of Totnes. If we want these things to continue, then we have to volunteer. There are charities all over Totnes crying our for volunteers. I get that people have busy lives, but an hour a week or an hour a month can really help build community spirit.”

Children from The Grove school performed courtly dances in costumes and Cllr Bennett said that while he’d tried to get his son to take part, the “silly costumes” had put him off.

One might say that Friday in town often reveals far more outre outfits than the odd ruff and a Boleyn inspired headdress. The Mayor’s message was don’t be embarrassed – Get Involved.
“These are the things that make Totnes a really special place, “ he told the Pulse. “We do have a lot of community minded people and events like this really get it together.”

The Elizabethan marke resumes in the Market Square on Tuesdays