From the archives: Ottery’s pesky pixie problem

Ottery Pixies. Ref sho 1239-26-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn (Image: Archant)

The town’s residents may have spotted the mythical creatures about the town, normally around this time of year.

In the past, sneaky pixies have made their way through the town as part of the annual tradition which first took place in 1954.

These are some of the pictures from previous pageants.

The Pixie Day invasion sees youngsters dress up as the folklore creatures to re-enact the town legend.

Ottery Pixies stream through the streets on Saturday evening. Ref sho 1224-26-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn (Image: Archant)

As part of the community day, the town’s youngsters dress up to recreate the 400-year-old tale where pixies scream and scamper to capture the bell ringers and take them to their cave.

The ringers are then paraded through the streets before breaking free and thwarting the pixies’ plot.

After the pixies are defeated, they are sent away for another year, and the party recommences in the square.

Pixie Day 2014. Bell ringer, Laurie Palmer, is kidnapped by the pixies. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6313-26-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

Pixie Day 2014. Revd Steve Weston is kidnapped by the pixies. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6309-26-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

Ottery St Mary's Pixie Day 2010. The cameras were out in force!; Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6255-25-10AW (Image: Archant)

Ottery St Mary's Pixie Day 2010.; Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6245-25-10AW (Image: Archant)

Ottery St Mary's Pixie Day 2010. The Pixies dash from their 'cave' in the town square up Silver Street to the parish church where they scream on the steps at the sound of the church bells. The bell ringers are eventually captured and brought back to the pixie cave leaving the pixies to celebrate their success.; Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6202-25-10AW (Image: Archant)

Pixie Day 2014. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6191-26-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

Ottery St Mary's Pixie Day 2010. The chief pixie (William Pitcher 10yrs old) gets ready to capture the bell ringers.; Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6185-25-10AW (Image: Archant)

Pixie Day 2014. Children's entertainer Ozzy D and his puppet, Turbo the Tortoise, kept the pixies entertained while they got ready to rampage through the town. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 6165-26-14AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders (Image: Archant)

Pixie day 2011. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref sho 2909-24-11AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24 (Image: Archant)

Pixie Day 2018. Ref sho 26 18TI 6409. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Pixie Day 2018. Ref sho 26 18TI 6409. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Pixie Day 2018. Ref sho 26 18TI 6396. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Ottery Pixie Day, June 20, 1970. Picture: Sidmouth Herald (Image: Picture: Sidmouth Herald archives)

Ottery Pixie Day, June 20, 1970. Picture: Sidmouth Herald (Image: Picture: Sidmouth Herald archives)

Ottery Pixie Day, June 20, 1970. Picture: Sidmouth Herald (Image: Picture: Sidmouth Herald archives)

Ottery Pixie Day, June 20, 1970. Picture: Sidmouth Herald (Image: Picture: Sidmouth Herald archives)

Ottery Pixie Day, June 20, 1970. Picture: Sidmouth Herald (Image: Picture: Sidmouth Herald archives)

Ottery Pixie Day, June 20, 1970. Picture: Sidmouth Herald (Image: Picture: Sidmouth Herald archives)