Pixie tradition makes a comeback to raise money for a good cause

Pixie Day normally takes place on the Saturday closest to Midsummer’s Day, but due to the pandemic it was postponed until September 25th.

This year, the event began at the earlier time of 1.30pm and ended at 4.30pm so that the participants could find their way back to the Pixie's Parlour in daylight.

Pixies provide some musical entertainment at the fete (Image: Steve Eckhardt)

Among the various attractions were a bouncy castle, pet show, tombola, coconut shy, barbeque and a Tae Kwon Do display.

Pixie Day is a tradition based on a legend recorded in Delderfield’s The Pixies’ Revenge.

It tells the tale of the pixies who once lived in Ottery, but were driven out by human occupation and in particular the building of the church and the noise of the bells, which they couldn’t abide.

Eventually the angry pixies took the bell ringers prisoner and kept them in a cave however, they managed to escape and Pixie Day was founded so that the events were not forgotten.

Young martial artist in the making (Image: Steve Eckhardt)

While the current event dates back to the mid twentieth century, its origins are believed to go way back to the fifteenth century.

Pixie Day raises funds for the Ottery Scout and Guide associations with youngsters from the organisations dressing up in traditional costume for the re-enactment.

The Pixie Day team said: “Not even the delay in having the event at the usual time of the year and a few drops of rain deterred the followers of the event from gathering outdoors as a community.

The popular fete on the Land of Canaan (Image: Steve Eckhardt)

“Richard Coley, Catriona Patton, Jeremy Batteson and the Pixie Day team would like to thank you all for your amazing support and hope to see you next year again on a sunny June day.”

Ottery St Mary Town Council said in a Facebook post: “We would like to congratulate all of the volunteers and organisers of the Pixie Day. Not deterred by a little shower it was great to see hundreds of people having a great time and raising money for a good cause.”