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Somerset County Herald & Taunton Courier Saturday 04 Nov 1950
Page 8 Column 5
Weird Punkies at Long Sutton
Over 40 Entries for Village Procession
Many and varied were the weird and artistic designs which were produced by Long Sutton children in their punkie parade on Thursday week.
A punkie is a mangold hollowed out and lit with a candle. Some say that these were once used to keep away evil spirits, and another opinion is that years ago they were used by angry wives to frighten their belated spouses returning from Bridgwater Fair.
Organised by the Long Sutton W.I., with Mrs E. M. WILSON as parade marshall, over 40 entries were marched from the Green to the Spirgurna' Hall, where the punkies were judged by Mrs. H. G. JEFFERIES, and Mr. and Mrs. C. H. COATE.
The winners in the three classes were: Children 3-6 – 1, Geoffrey HUNT; 2, Stephanie BRYANT; 3, Kathleen SCRIVEN. 7-9 – 1, Margaret HUNT; 2. David THOMAS; 3, Paul BRYANT. 10-14 – 1, Kenneth BURT; 2, Pamela COX; 3, Eileen SIMS. Special for best comic punkie – Paulette GREEN.
The Spigurnal Hall, where the children were afterwards entertained to tea and games, was decorated for the occasion with candles stuck in small mangolds, and a variety of punkies hanging around the room. Miss A. COX was responsible for the decoration; Mrs HUNT was M.C. for the games.